the case for a permanent rock island fish & wildlife habitat wavebreaker at lasalle park marina

The Case for a Permanent Rock Island Fish & Wildlife Habitat Wavebreaker at LaSalle Park Marina

Trumpeter Swans like LaSalle Park MarinaTrumpeter Swans like LaSalle Park Marina

Photos Photos

Courtesy of H. SiebertCourtesy of H. Siebert

Protected from shore side predation and harassment, swans often spend the night inside the safety of LaSalle Park Marina ~ Photos Michael Manych June 2013

On Ice, Trumpeter Swans takeoff in On Ice, Trumpeter Swans takeoff in less than 50 feet less than 50 feet

2014 Winter at LaSalle2014 Winter at LaSalle

Video: J BirchVideo: J BirchJanuary 23, 2014 January 23, 2014


Photos: J BirchJanuary 23, 2014

TSRG Contention: TSRG Contention: “Trumpeter Swans “Trumpeter Swans need 200 metres need 200 metres takeoff”takeoff”

Fact: Fact: Less than 50 feet on Less than 50 feet on iceice


January 2014 January 2014

Photos: Colleen Gravelle

Photos: Colleen Gravelle

TSRG Contention: TSRG Contention: “Trumpeter Swans “Trumpeter Swans have no predators”have no predators”

Fact: Bald Eagle Fact: Bald Eagle attacking and killing attacking and killing Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter SwanCoyotes have been Coyotes have been spottedspotted


Current conditions at LaSalleCurrent conditions at LaSalle

Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 and there is no Safe HarbourMarch 2014 and there is no Safe Harbour

The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Unregulated Daily Feeding ProgramUnregulated Daily Feeding Program

Video J Birch 30/01/14Video J Birch 30/01/14



Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014March 2014


Brief thaw 31/01/14Brief thaw 31/01/14Videos J BirchVideos J Birch


Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until late March 2014late March 2014

The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Daily Feeding Program this far northDaily Feeding Program this far north

Example: 2 x 50kg of corn, little if any observed Example: 2 x 50kg of corn, little if any observed taggingtagging

Photo J Birch 06/02/2014Photo J Birch 06/02/2014


The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive daily The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive daily feeding programfeeding program

Example: More cornExample: More corn

06/02/201406/02/2014

LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 20142014


Often this feeding is Often this feeding is indiscriminate indiscriminate

Example: More corn simply Example: More corn simply tossed to the birdstossed to the birds

06/02/201406/02/2014


Hamilton Harbour and LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks Hamilton Harbour and LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014and will not thaw until March 2014

The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive feeding The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive feeding programprogram

Example: More corn, no observed Example: More corn, no observed taggingtagging



Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014March 2014

The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an Aggressive The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an Aggressive Unregulated Unregulated

Daily Feeding programDaily Feeding program

Stopping between feedings to hand out Swan Coalition FlyersStopping between feedings to hand out Swan Coalition Flyers

Barrels of More corn, no observed Barrels of More corn, no observed tagging tagging


Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter Swan

Takeoff Distance is under 50 feet on iceTakeoff Distance is under 50 feet on ice

Takeoff Distance about 100 – 150 feet on Takeoff Distance about 100 – 150 feet on waterwater

If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would be openbe open

Video J Birch Video J Birch 29/01/1429/01/14

Note, Water quality and ice filled with bird fecesNote, Water quality and ice filled with bird feces

Note, Trumpeter Swans congregate near shore, not Note, Trumpeter Swans congregate near shore, not where the Marina would be when builtwhere the Marina would be when built

Note, Ice melts first near shore due to geothermal Note, Ice melts first near shore due to geothermal effect of shallow watereffect of shallow water


Video J Birch Video J Birch 31/01/1431/01/14During brief thawDuring brief thaw

Green dotted line = 1 metre depth Green dotted line = 1 metre depth contourcontour

Southern limit of natural feeding zone Southern limit of natural feeding zone


100 meters linear100 meters linear


Light Blue Line = 100 Metres Light Blue Line = 100 Metres

Dark Blue Line = 200 MetresDark Blue Line = 200 Metres

Feeding & FreezingFeeding & Freezing

This harsh winter has tested many assumptionsThis harsh winter has tested many assumptions

TSRG Contention: TSRG Contention: The LaSalle Project will cause early and prolonged freezing. If The LaSalle Project will cause early and prolonged freezing. If the LaSalle Harbour freezes, the Trumpeter Swans will either the LaSalle Harbour freezes, the Trumpeter Swans will either die or be driven away. Besides, de-icers are unreliable.die or be driven away. Besides, de-icers are unreliable.

Fact: Hamilton Harbour & LaSalle have been frozen for over 7 Fact: Hamilton Harbour & LaSalle have been frozen for over 7 weeks now, yet the Swans remain – Why, because they are weeks now, yet the Swans remain – Why, because they are fed.fed.

If the Safe Harbour were in existence today, the water would If the Safe Harbour were in existence today, the water would be open. be open.

Unreliable ? Unreliable ? Air-O-Lator and many de-icing companies have Air-O-Lator and many de-icing companies have existed over 40 years. If they were not reliable, they’d be out existed over 40 years. If they were not reliable, they’d be out of business long ago.of business long ago.

We don’t care that they are feeding the Swans,We don’t care that they are feeding the Swans, we care that we care that TSRG appear to either misunderstand, or are not being TSRG appear to either misunderstand, or are not being entirely forthcoming about their apparent feeding program entirely forthcoming about their apparent feeding program and dire predictions.and dire predictions.Either way – We like the SwansEither way – We like the Swans

Photo: Air-O-Lator Corp


Example: HMCS Haida inside the Wavebreak at Parks Example: HMCS Haida inside the Wavebreak at Parks CanadaCanada

De-icing systems in place & effectiveDe-icing systems in place & effective

Photos courtesy Dr D W Bryant PhDPhotos courtesy Dr D W Bryant PhD

LaSalle Winter VisaLaSalle Winter Visa

Pier is tied up with docksPier is tied up with docks

Birds struggle for shelter from wind & Birds struggle for shelter from wind & waveswaves

Parking is reduced due to docks on Parking is reduced due to docks on PierPier

Vista is hindered due to docks on PierVista is hindered due to docks on Pier

LaSalle Safe Harbour is a Synergy ProjectLaSalle Safe Harbour is a Synergy Project

Significant Vista improvement to LaSalle PierSignificant Vista improvement to LaSalle Pier

Parking is freed-up as docks no longer stored on PierParking is freed-up as docks no longer stored on Pier

Birds gain shelter from wind & waves behind Birds gain shelter from wind & waves behind Bioengineered Wavebreak Habitat IslandBioengineered Wavebreak Habitat Island

Swans and other birds gain additional natural feeding Swans and other birds gain additional natural feeding habitat along perimeter of Wavebreak, where none habitat along perimeter of Wavebreak, where none exists todayexists today

Swan & Marina seasons do not overlapSwan & Marina seasons do not overlap

Swans gain protection from shore side predation & Swans gain protection from shore side predation & harassment, can shelter and loaf on docks behind harassment, can shelter and loaf on docks behind security gatesecurity gate

Swans & other birds gain protection by forcing Swans & other birds gain protection by forcing unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats from intruding unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats from intruding into the feeding shallows into the feeding shallows

Unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats are forced to Unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats are forced to exit South through Channel in the offseasonexit South through Channel in the offseason

De-icers would keep water open regardless of harsh De-icers would keep water open regardless of harsh winter providing safe refugewinter providing safe refuge

LaSalle Safe Harbour Proposal is entirely an Offshore BuildLaSalle Safe Harbour Proposal is entirely an Offshore Build

Wavebreak EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative ConceptWavebreak EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative Concept

Bringing to Burlington, Bringing to Burlington,

Ontario’s 400Ontario’s 400thth Safe Harbour Safe Harbour

On water circulation, plant On water circulation, plant growth & sedimentation: growth & sedimentation: Opinions of Water Quality Opinions of Water Quality Scientist Murray Charlton, and Scientist Murray Charlton, and Harbour & Watershed Harbour & Watershed Fisheries Management Plan Fisheries Management Plan Author Jim Bowlby OMNR as Author Jim Bowlby OMNR as highly unlikely to be highly unlikely to be problematic.problematic.

Reasonable probability Reasonable probability Water Clarity at LaSalle Water Clarity at LaSalle could reach RAP goals could reach RAP goals before the rest of Hamilton before the rest of Hamilton Harbour.Harbour.

Environmental Assessment Environmental Assessment StakeholdersStakeholders

The Agency Stakeholders involved :The Agency Stakeholders involved :

· · City of Burlington;City of Burlington;· Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO);· Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO);· Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR);· Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR);· Environment Canada (EC)· Environment Canada (EC)·· Hamilton Port Authority (HPA); Hamilton Port Authority (HPA);· Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP);· Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP);·· Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC)· Transport Canada;· Transport Canada;· Canadian Coast Guard;· Canadian Coast Guard;· LPMA;· LPMA;

Conservation Halton ;Conservation Halton ;· Hamilton Conservation Authority, who had deferred · Hamilton Conservation Authority, who had deferred

to to CH as being the relevant Authority in this CH as being the relevant Authority in this case;case;

Bronte Outer HarbourBronte Outer Harbouris shallow, LaSalle is not is shallow, LaSalle is not

Trumpeter Swans at Bluffers Park Marina Trumpeter Swans at Bluffers Park Marina Complex Complex And they breed there, but nowhere is there a And they breed there, but nowhere is there a 100metre dia.100metre dia.takeoff area takeoff area

Photos Photos

Courtesy of H. SiebertCourtesy of H. Siebert

Bluffers Park Marina ComplexBluffers Park Marina Complex

Trumpeter Swans are at Bluffers Trumpeter Swans are at Bluffers Park Marina Complex Park Marina Complex

And they breed there, but nowhere is And they breed there, but nowhere is there a 100metre diameter takeoff there a 100metre diameter takeoff area area

Green dotted line = 1 metre depth Green dotted line = 1 metre depth contour contour

Vision 2012 EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative ConceptVision 2012 EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative Concept



Trumpeter Swans at LaSalle Trumpeter Swans at LaSalle would have more than would have more than 100metre 100metre diameter takeoff areas and 200 diameter takeoff areas and 200 meter as wellmeter as well

Halton Region Boating Feasibility & Capacity Halton Region Boating Feasibility & Capacity Study Study

PIC December 5 2013PIC December 5 2013Confirms Market DemandConfirms Market Demand

Key Takeaways Key Takeaways There are currently 1445 slips in Halton There are currently 1445 slips in Halton Current shortage of slips 830 Current shortage of slips 830 All Marinas running at 96.8% capacity (95% All Marinas running at 96.8% capacity (95%

considered full capacity)considered full capacity) Need for 2,400 more slips over next 20 yearsNeed for 2,400 more slips over next 20 years Quantifies user demographicsQuantifies user demographics Average Boating participant family income $40 – Average Boating participant family income $40 –

$79,000$79,000 14.5% of population minimum boating participation 14.5% of population minimum boating participation

in areain area Participation rises to 17.4% by 2020; to 19.6% by Participation rises to 17.4% by 2020; to 19.6% by

2030 2030 Need for 4 more Area Safe Harbours over 20 yearsNeed for 4 more Area Safe Harbours over 20 years

Market Demand validates LaSalle Safe Harbour CaseMarket Demand validates LaSalle Safe Harbour Case LaSalle Project is Halton Area’s most refined LaSalle Project is Halton Area’s most refined

proposalproposal

Helps to replace Habitat LostHelps to replace Habitat Lost

Hamilton Harbour & Watershed Fisheries Management PlanHamilton Harbour & Watershed Fisheries Management Plan

LaSalle Safe Harbour concept proposal in LaSalle Safe Harbour concept proposal in Harmony with the Harbour Fisheries PlanHarmony with the Harbour Fisheries Plan

Ministry of Natural Resources Reps Confirm proposal can Complement its Harbour Fish Species Habitat Goals

Use mixed stone & rock aggregate in the design:

attractive for spawning by Cisco (lake herring);

lake whitefish;

walleye;

pike;

smallmouth bass;

largemouth bass;

muskie,

a variety of smaller species (minnows, darters, sunfish, etcetera) and;

habitat for a variety of other species, including American eel.

BackgroundBackground Hall Coastal Canada Ltd: 'A Study on Wave Agitation Levels at

LaSalle Park Marina' ~ November 2001

Findings: unacceptable wave action and damage occurs within the MarinaRecommends Remedies

Dillon / ShorePlan Conduct Environmental Assessment on LaSalle Wavebreak

Process Detailed Study of Problem, Consultations and Options

1. All Floating Caisson replacement; 2. Rock Spit / Concrete Caisson hybrid;3. Full Rock Fish & Waterfowl Habitat Wavebreaker;4. or do nothing

ESR Findings Problem confirmed

Recommendation Permanent Full Rock Fish & Waterfowl Habitat Wavebreaker Island

Every Safe Harbour Built :Every Safe Harbour Built :

Has been Municipally Driven;

Has been Partnered;

Has received 3rd Party Co-Funding;

Has brought lasting tangible community benefits.

There are no examples of a Safe Harbour that has been Built by a Marina or Boat Club alone

Burlington is a waterfront community. Boating is part of a vibrant waterfront community

The Safe Harbour Project ProposalComplements City’s Strategic Objectives

Enhances:

Burlington’s Business Community BIA’s Recreation & Leisure Tourism Community & prosperity initiatives City Asset at No net cost to the City Environmental Opportunities

- improves Fish & Waterfowl Habitat

Burlington is the only Community on Lake Ontario without a Safe HarbourBurlington is the only Community on Lake Ontario without a Safe Harbour

Burlington is a waterfront community. Boating is part of a vibrant waterfront community.

So too are the Swans, a vibrant part of a waterfront community.

There is no reason not to celebrate both the Swans and the Marina.

Thank you for your consideration, and for Council & Staff’s continuing efforts on this proposed project

We seek Safe Harbour

the case for a permanent rock island fish & wildlife habitat wavebreaker at lasalle park marina

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