Upper Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

UPPER WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANwatercourses.Protect receiving waters from bank Stabilize existing steep slopes with bioengineeringerosionmethods, and preserve and plant trees along streams toreduce bank erosion.Stream ChannelRestoration/StabilizationConstructed WetlandRain BarrelsDownspout DisconnectionNative landscaping and/or treeplantingEncourage diverse non-turfvegetation at stormwater basinedgesEstablish better enforcement, finesto ensure complianceImprove septic systemmaintenanceNew/Revised Zoning By-LawsConduct Zoning By-Law reviewAdopt stormwater policies for newdevelopmentsEncourage and/or regulate landuse planning and managementIntegrate natural features into theplanning processEncourage open space site designNew/Revised Master PlansConstruct pipe outlets and bank stabilization measures toprevent streambank erosion due to excessive dischargevelocities (usually bioengineered).Build wetlands to capture pollutants from runoff drainingurban and agricultural areas. Wetlands differ from basins inthat they are shallower, and are planted with wetland plantsto filter the water.Rain barrels can be used to catch rooftop runoff for lateruse (e.g. watering gardens and lawns)Disconnecting downspouts from storm drains, or directingthem away from paved surfaces that lead directly to thestormwater system allows water to infiltrate into unpavedsoils. An education and incentive program should also becreated for this alternative.This measure includes planting street trees, and plantingtrees and plants in parking lot medians or in otherlandscapes. They can be designed so water flows intothese areas before flowing into the stormwater system.Native plants do not need fertilizers, irrigation, or mowing,which can reduce phosphorus and possibly runoff.Educate landowners to allow long grasses and wetlandplants to flourish in stormwater basins to filter the waste of,and discourage large populations of waterfowl.Planning and DevelopmentMay include hiring more staff to inspect and enforceregulations.Require septic system inspection and compliance at pointof-sale;encourage regular maintenance through incentiveand/or education programs; and identify any currentlyfailing systems so they can be fixed.If necessary, a zoning by-law should be created or revisedto meet water quality/quantity needs so that planningdecisions based on that by-law are defensible.Establish a committee to conduct a formal review of zoningby-laws from a planning perspective for open space andnatural features protection/restoration.This policy tool can be used to control and treat stormwaterdischarges whereas stormwater management must beaddressed before building permits are issued.Develop policies limiting pavement, preserving open spaceand define locations for more on-site storm watermanagement facilities, and zone/sizing criteria for on-sitefacilities.Through overlay zoning and other methods, valuablenatural features should be taken into account when zoningand making planning decisions where such policies are notpresent. Coordination with municipalities in this area isnecessary to preserve systems of open space, and reducefragmentation of the natural complex of woodlands, prairiesand other natural water filtering systems.Reduction in lot size to preserve common open space ofwoodlands and wetlands; shared driveways, chipped paths,swales, reduction in road widths, and so forth.If substantial changes are made to implement stormwater176