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Unless Kincardine protects the natural heritage along the
lakeshore, it could be lost forever, and those natural features
would be costly to recreate.
That's the word from a natural heritage study presented to
Kincardine council earlier this month. Commissioned by Bruce County,
the study was done last year by North-South Environmental Inc. and
Dougan and Associates.
The scope of the work was to focus on the terrestrial natural
heritage within the municipality, develop a defensible methodology
for identifying a natural heritage system, and provide some
recommendations with respect to natural heritage policy development
and implementation.
Sarah Mainguy of North-South was lead ecologist and project manager
on the study, while Margot Ursic of Dougan was planning ecologist
and facilitator. Together, they presented a very thorough, extensive
and comprehensive report which outlines all the natural heritage
features of Kincardine, particularly along the lakeshore where
residential development is increasing.
"Apart from the dune and beach vegetation communities along the Lake
Huron shoreline, no provincially-significant communities were noted
within the Schedule C Lakeshore Study Area," states the report.
"However, all swamp complexes, marsh complexes, coniferous and mixed
forest complexes on beach and shore and cliff deposits, and mixed
and coniferous forests on clay plains are considered 'target natural
ecological systems' for Ecodistrict 6E-2."
The report indicates a high diversity of wildlife species, including
14 species of amphibians; five turtle species of which seven are
provincially-significant; nine snake species; 120 bird species of
which 13 are nationally and/or provincially rare, seven are
regionally rare and six are colonial; and 30 mammal species. (next column)
30/03/2009 08:36 PM
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"Shaping of the landscape for agriculture has
contributed strongly to the character of the landscape and its present
biodiversity, particularly in regard to successional habitat," states
the report. "While farming has reduced diversity related to forest and
wetland habitats, and likely influenced water quality within streams and
rivers, it has also created habitat for open-habitat species that
previously were relatively scarce in Ontario.
"Farming, recreational use of beaches, invasion of non-native species,
urban development and development for power generation are the most
common human disturbances within the landscape. Natural disturbances
(though influenced to some degree by human activities) include forest
succession, changes in hydrology and coastal dynamics."
What it all boils down to, said Ursic, is that if the natural heritage
features are degraded, it would be difficult and costly to recreate
them. "You have a high level of biodiversity, mainly along the
lakeshore," she said. "Rather than risk losing that, it would be more
effective to plan and develop carefully from the outset."
She said the lakeshore area should be identified as a 'coastal corridor'
with special land-use policies that recognize its ecological
significance and sensitivities.
Councillor Gordon Campbell summed up the situation quite well. He turned
to the Bruce County planners in the audience and told them he hopes they
have all of this figured out because they will have to be on their toes
as development continues along the lakeshore.
Council accepted the natural heritage study and it will be referred to
the building and planning committee for discussion and a recommendation
on ways to implement it.
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