8132 - NPCA SNF Watershed Report.indd - Niagara Peninsula ...

Table 11: Usshers Creek Subwatershed Restoration ActionsPROJECT OPPORTUNITIESRECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDSWEEPING TILE DISCONNECTPROGRAMURBAN RAIN BARREL ANDDOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTIONPROGRAMSSPECIAL STUDIESSome of the municipalities within the Niagara Region have already proposed orimplemented by-laws that require homeowners to disconnect their weeping tiles from thesanitary sewer systems. This initiative should be extended Region-wide to eliminateexcessive stormwater from entering the sanitary and storm sewer systems.Several municipalities within the Niagara Region have already implemented theseprograms; however these initiatives should be extended Region-wide as an effort toeliminate excessive stormwater from entering the sanitary and storm sewer systems. Inaddition, a downspout disconnection by-law should be developed and implemented tofurther encourage landowners to discontinue the practice of directing rainwater fromrooftops to sewer systems.RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDYRESTORATION OFUNAUTHORIZED DRAINSMUNICIPAL DRAIN MAINTENANCEBEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICESMUNICIPAL ROADS ROADSALT IMPACT STUDIESGROUNDWATER INTRINSICSUSCEPTIBILITY STUDIESRIPARIAN BUFFEREDUCATION PROGRAMSEPTIC SYSTEM EDUCATION ANDFUNDING PROGRAMUnauthorized drains have been identified in Willoughby Marsh Conservation Area.Investigation of the effects and restoration of these unauthorized drains is recommendedto ensure that these drains are not negatively impacting Conservation Area propertyand the resources it is trying to protect, which may also inadvertently be affectingWilloughby Clay Plain Muck Basin and Willoughby Marsh Provincially SignificantWetland.The Usshers Creek subwatershed contains one municipal drain; Union Marsh Drain.Best Management Practices for drain maintenance should be developed in consultationwith the Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, NPCA,municipalities and the agricultural community to reduce ecological impacts to aquaticsystems and to prevent sediment from returning to the drain.The Regional Municipality of Niagara has already completed a Salt Vulnerability Studyfor its roads (see above). It is recommended that municipalities complete similar studiesto determine the impacts from road salt applications on municipal roads to groundwatersensitive areas, surface water resources, natural heritage areas and agricultural crops.The Groundwater Study (2005) has identified several areas with medium and highintrinsic susceptibility in the South Niagara Falls watershed (Figure 14). The intrinsicsusceptibility of groundwater considers only the physical factors affecting the flow ofwater to, and through, the groundwater resource. Additional studies should beconducted in this watershed to ensure that current and future land uses do not conflictwith the protection of groundwater resources in susceptible areas as part of the NPCA’sGroundwater Study (2005) and proposed Source Water Protection Plan.Many landowners keep their properties manicured or plant crops to the edge of thecreek. The NPCA’s program aimed at educating landowners about the benefits of bufferzones along watercourses should be extensively promoted. In addition, landownersshould be made aware of and encouraged to participate in the ConservationAuthority’s Water Quality Improvement Program. This program provides grants to amaximum of 75% of the cost of a project with caps between $2,000 and $10,000.Improperly maintained septic systems have been identified as a concern in the SouthNiagara Falls watershed. Improperly functioning septic systems and abandoned septicsystems are a known threat to water quality. A septic system education and fundingprogram should be developed and implemented to ensure that private septic systemsare functioning properly, and to ensure that abandoned systems are decommissioned.77