Halton Business Community Comprehensive Environmental and Servicing Study

Natural Heritage Components In Support of Industrial Park Development

Client

Location

Key Elements

GEI was retained by Orlando Corporation to complete the natural heritage components of a Comprehensive Environmental and Servicing Study (CESS) in support of industrial park development in Milton, Ontario. The Subject Lands were predominately agricultural; however, the northern quarter of the property contained a forested block, which was designated as Protected Countryside within the Greenbelt Planning Area.

GEI worked as part of a larger consultant team, which consisted of engineers, fluvial geomorphologists and hydrogeologists to develop an environmentally responsible development plan. Since the Subwatershed Study within this area was considered historical (>20 years old), the Town of Milton requested that a CESS be prepared to update the existing landscape characterization of the area, while specifically focusing on four parcels of land proposed for development. GEI completed an intensive fieldwork program along the Greenbelt Protected Countryside and Middle Branch of Sixteen Mile Creek areas, as well as within adjacent agricultural areas, to characterize the sensitivity of natural heritage features and their functions.

The following natural heritage features were identified on the Subject Lands:

Unevaluated wetlands;
Significant woodlands;
Candidate significant valleylands;
Significant wildlife habitat;
Fish habitat; and
Habitat for endangered and threatened species.

A site plan was developed to ensure that the existing natural heritage features and their associated functions were maintained, protected, and where possible, enhanced. In addition to standard ecological buffers off of retained natural heritage features, GEI’s ecological restoration team worked with the consultant team to identify restoration and enhancement opportunities within the Subject Lands, as the site plan proposed the removal of wetlands and realignment of a watercourse to accommodate later industrial building footprints.

The consultant team is currently working on detailed design drawings for the wetland replication, realigned watercourse corridor and vegetated buffers. Construction is expected to begin as early as Fall 2023.