Central Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

CENTRAL WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANcontaminants instead of seeping into the ground as it would in a natural system. As aresult, stormwater accumulates and runs off in great amounts, creating the potential forflooding and erosion (Pollution Probe 2004). Several strategies can be implemented toachieve stormwater management that aims to reduce stormwater runoff such as forexample, storing excess water on or near the site, and releasing it slowly over a longperiod of time.The NPCA and RMN have developed policies that provide for a long-term plan for thesafe and effective management of runoff in urban and urbanizing areas, while sustainingthe health of local rivers and stream (AECOM 2010). The report entitled „StormwaterManagement Policies and Guidelines‟ provides a consist approach to stormwatermanagement for all municipalities in Niagara Region. Examples of stormwater bestmanagement practices are listed in Appendix B.The intent of the City of Port Colborne in the Draft New Official Plan (2010) is to managestormwater on-site to reduce impacts on neighbouring properties or the drainagepatterns of the surrounding area (Section 8.2a). The Draft Official Plan (2010) alsospecifies that development applications may require a stormwater management plan anda sediment and erosion control plan prepared by a qualified engineer (Section 8.2b) andthat the storm water management plan “demonstrates that the proposal will minimizevegetation removal, grading and soil compaction, erosion and sediments, andimpervious services” (Section 8.2.b) as well as meet the requirements of other policieswith the Official Plan (2010).Similar to the City of Port Colborne, the Draft Official Plan for the City of Welland alsooutlines policies with regard to storm water management and sediment and erosioncontrol. Like Port Colborne, development applications may also require a stormwatermanagement plan and a sediment and erosion control plan prepared by a qualifiedengineer and the storm water management plan must “demonstrate that the proposalwill minimize vegetation removal, grading and soil compaction, erosion and sediments,and impervious services (Section 6.1.3.3.G).Road SaltOriginating from salt storage and snow disposal sites as well as from runoff, road saltsare an environmental concern because they are known to have an adverse effect onfreshwater ecosystems, soil, vegetation and wildlife (EC 2004a). In April 2004,Environment Canada produced a Code of Practice for the Environmental Managementof Road Salts. The Code of Practice recommends that all road authorities prepare andimplement salt management plans that incorporate the implementation of bestmanagement practices (BMP) for salt application, salt storage and handling, and snowdisposal. The benefits of improved salt management include:a reduction in corrosive damage to salt application equipment, vehicles, andinfrastructure such as concrete sidewalks and steps;a reduction in salt damage to vegetation and surrounding roads and walkways;reduced salt releases to surrounding waterways; andan overall, more efficient and effective service resulting in safer roads andsidewalks for users (EC 2004b).91