Linking Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Rouge River Watershed to the Duffins Creek Watershed

I support the Rouge National Urban Park Study Draft Terms of Reference and the vision and objectives of the Park Management Plan - Rouge National Urban Park

The Rouge Park Management Plan states that “The park will provide the only regional-scale ecological and trail connection of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area. The park’s protected natural cultural and agricultural landscapes will contribute a broad range of benefits to the Rouge, Petticoat, and West Duffins Creek watersheds, the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine, and to the residents of adjacent urban communities.”  

This Management Plan further states defines a vibrant farming community: “Parks Canada and park farmers will work hand-in-hand to shape a key role for park farming as part of a vital and diverse protected landscape as a contributor to the maintenance or restoration of the park’s ecological integrity, as a provider of educational opportunities for visitors and as a supporter of food sustainability of the larger region.”

As early as 1975 the Ontario Ministry of Housing in its “North Pickering Project” recognized the need to protect the prime agricultural land west on West Duffins Creek when it recommended that the future community of Cedarwood be located east of Duffins Creek.  This was confirmed in its report titled “A Plan for Seaton” issued in 1995 and by the Ontario Government’s Bill 16 The Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act (2005).

I request that the study include a detailed analysis of what is required to ensure that sufficient agricultural land is available on ensure farming can occur on a scale sufficient to be economical and sustainable.

Significant and effective linkages and corridors must continue to exist to connect the Rouge Watershed and the West Duffins Creek Watershed.

The Lake Iroquois Shoreline and its related aquifers must continue to serve an important function as the source of Amberlea, Dunbarton and Pine Creeks which flow to Lake Ontario and this needs to be studied and this role sustained.

The Petticoat Creek Watershed is one of the healthiest in the Greater Toronto Area.  The impact of urbanization on this watershed needs to be studied.  Of particular note is the unique Townline Road Wetlands Complex along Petticoat Creek.

I note that there is a unique heron rookery north of Taunton Road.  The continued role of the combined Rouge National Urban Park and Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve as safe migration routes must be maintained.

All concerns raised in the November 16, 2022 Toronto Region Conservation Authority Report press release titled “TRCA Responds to Planned Repeal of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Act” must be considered, including the need for watershed and subwatershed planning.  This press release includes a link to a Backgrounder Report issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources on October 31, 2005, the same day that Bill 16 The Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act (2005) was introduced in the Ontario Legislature.  A copy of this press release is available on request.

As part of this Impact study, the scope should be expanded to review of impacts of development which has occurred or is planned in the Seaton Community on West Duffins Creek and provide recommendations for corrective actions if required and ways to mitigate the impacts of future development.

For additional information of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve, please visit the Facebook Page "Pickering's Greenbelt and Farmlands Matter.