Tag: ESA

Medway Valley ESA 2013 – Conservation Master Plan Phase I

The City has hired Dillon Consulting Ltd. to complete a life science inventory and evaluation of the Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA (MVHF ESA). The study is focused on the lands south of Fanshawe Park Road as part of Phase 1 of the Conservation Master Plan (CMP) process.

The City will be hosting a Community Information Meeting about the MVHF ESA CMP project later this summer and will invite the community, Ward Councillors and local associations to attend this meeting once there is a firm date. They will also publish the Community Information Meeting notice under a separate header in the Londoner; “Community Information Meetings”.

For more information, see Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA 2013 CMP Community Update Memo June-1.

Buckthorn Busting in the Medway Valley

Come out to the Longbow entrance to the Medway Valley to bust some buckthorn on June 18th at 5 pm.

Buckthorn is a non-native, invasive species that is spreading in London’s Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

The rain date is June 19th at the same time. The city web site http://www.london.ca will have a weather update on the 18th.

Medway Valley trails

The Planning Committee of London City Council voted to pave the rest of the trail in the Medway Valley north of Fanshawe Road except for a boardwalk in the section around the bend in the Creek.  This is shown on Option 4A of Page 40 of the Medway Valley Heritage Forest North Environmentally Significant Area Trail Master Planning Study (this is a large document) (with a boardwalk instead of asphalt around the bend).  This recommendation goes to the full Council on April 16th.

This decision will likely have implications for the area of the Medway which borders Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest during the upcoming Conservation Master Plan.

The neighbourhood association on the east side of the Creek, Old Masonville, spoke in favour of the more pavement option.  Sandy Levin, from the Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers,  spoke in favour of 5B (a less pavement option, page 44 of the attached).   Both options included an additional bridge over the Medway just south of Sunningdale Road.

Medway Creek Subwatershed Study Update

On Thursday, March 7, the city and its consultant presented its work to date on the city’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the Medway Creek. This review includes the entire portion of the Medway that is in the City of London, and involves all the communities that border the Medway.

The presentation and information panelsfrom Thursday’s meeting are now available.

Also available is a public comment form. Comments and information regarding this study are being collected to assist the study team.

ESA Observation

The City of London, in partnership with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, manages seven different environmentally significant areas (ESAs) in the City, including the Medway Valley. This observation form is provided so that members of the public may record observations arising from time spent in ESAs. The City of London will review the information received and take steps to incorporate your suggestions into our ESA Management efforts, subject to existing policies, approved conservation master plans, budget and environmental considerations. Please respect the natural environment during your visit, beaware of permitted and prohibited activities defined on the signs at the trailhead and stay on the managed trail system.

Please submit comment forms to the City of London Planning, Environmental and Engineering Services Department. Forms can be dropped off in person, or mailed.