Offsetting Projects
Our offsetting policies address loss of natural heritage features (ecological offsetting), groundwater recharge deficit (water balance offsetting) and post development phosphorus loads (phosphorus offsetting), which are all the result of development within the watershed. These policies are here to offset losses or impacts to the environment and are implemented by Planning and Development staff through review of applications made under the Planning Act. Each policy uses a tiered approach; avoid, minimize, mitigate and compensate. Below are the projects we have completed to date under each of the policies.
Ecological Offsetting
Our
Ecological Offsetting Policy was approved by the Board of Directors in 2017. This policy was developed to address the loss of natural heritage features and their associated vegetation protection zones. The primary key performance indicators for ecological offsetting projects are total natural heritage restored, wetland and woodland area restored, and area acquired/protected.
Ecological Offsetting Projects
Circle Park
Subwatershed: Innisfil Creeks
Total Area Restored: 1.5 hectares
- Ecological Offsetting Funding
- Restoration Funding
Total Amount of Funding: $243,137.00
Rogers Reservoir Wetland Restoration Project
Subwatershed: East Holland
Total Treed Area Planted: 1 hectare
Total Shrubs Planted: 396
Total Herbaceous Plants planted: 1020
Total Area Restored: 2.3 hectares
- Ecological Offsetting Funding
- Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation
- Restoration Funding
- Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund
Innisfil Works Department Restoration Project
Subwatershed: Innisfil Creeks
Total Trees and Shrubs Planted: 4355
Total Area Restored: 2.05 hectares
Funding Partners: Ecological Offsetting Funding Only
Luck Conservation Wetland Restoration
Subwatershed: Innisfil Creeks
Total Plants Planted: 1220
Total Area Planted: 1.35 hectares
Area seeded: 0.2 hectares
Total Area Restored: 2 hectares
Funding Partners:
- Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation
- Ecological Offsetting Funding
- Simcoe County Trees
- Restoration Funding
Pangman Conservation Area Restoration Project
Subwatershed: East Holland
Total Trees and Shrubs Planted: 2042
Total Wetland Area: 0.2 hectares
Total Area Planted: 1.7 hectares
Total Area Restored: 2 hectares
- Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation
- Restoration Funding
- Ecological Offsetting Funding
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
- Toronto Dominion Friends of the Environment Foundation
Total Amount of Offsetting Funding: $70,326.04
Scanlon Creek Tree Planting
Subwatershed: West Holland
Total Area Planted: 0.765 hectares
- Ecological Offsetting
- Simcoe County Tree Planting Program
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Total Amount of Offsetting Funding: $2,015.29
Phosphorus Offsetting and
Water Balance and Recharge Projects
Since 2018 the Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Offsetting Policy has been improving and protecting the quality of water in Lake Simcoe and its streams and rivers.
To ensure that adequate groundwater recharge is also maintained throughout the Lake Simcoe watershed, and to mirror the policies of the Source Protection Plan, we developed the Water Balance Recharge Policy in 2019. This policy addresses the deficit of groundwater recharge resulting from development.
Phosphorus Offsetting and Water Balance and Recharge Projects
Victoria Woods Parking Lot Retrofit
Project Subwatershed: Barrie Creeks
Project Location and Ownership: 132 Lillian Cresent, Barrie. Owner – City of Barrie
Current Estimated Infiltration Volume base on the 25mm rain event (m3/year): 42
Estimated Phosphorous Reduction (kg/yr): 0.5
Funding Partner: City of Barrie
Phosphorus Offsetting Funding: $43,058.06
Green Lane and East Holland River Parking Lot Low Impact Development Retrofit
Project Subwatershed: East Holland
Project Location and Ownership: Green Lane East and East Holland River Owner – Town of East Gwillimbury
Estimated Infiltration Volume base on the 25mm rain event (m3/year): 454
Estimated Phosphorous Reduction (kg/yr): 0.09
- Town of East Gwillimbury
- Restoration Funding
Water Balance Offsetting Funding: $23,150
Magna Centre Low Impact Development Retrofit
Project Subwatershed: East Holland
Project Location and Ownership: Magna Centre – Town of Newmarket
Estimated Infiltration Volume base on the 25mm rain event (m3/year): 1750
Estimated Phosphorous Reduction (kg/yr): 0.186
Funding Partner: Town of Newmarket
Water Balance Offsetting Funding: $67,356.74
Project Total Cost: $184,000
More information about this project
Nokiidaa Trail Parking Lot Retrofit Project
Project Subwatershed: East Holland
Project Location and Ownership: 11 Mount Albert Rd. Owner – Town of East Gwillimbury
Estimated Infiltration Volume base on the 25mm rain event (m3): 26.25
Estimated Phosphorous Reduction (kg/year): 0.3
Total Area Restored: 0.109 hectares
Funding Partner: Town of East Gwillimbury
Water Balance Offsetting Funding: $44,331.72
Project Total Cost: $82,172.72
