Greater Toronto Airports Authority Living City Project

As a Watershed Planner with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Chris project managed the completion of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Living City Project - a series of three strategies aimed at improving the environment around Toronto Pearson International Airport (Toronto Pearson).

The GTAA Living City Project utilized an interdisciplinary approach to watershed management within the Etobicoke Creek around Toronto Pearson. Working in collaboration with the GTAA, the project involved four main components:

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  1. The Terrestrial System - an inventory of the terrestrial system around Toronto Pearson to identify potential natural cover and priority restoration and enhancement sites to meet TRCA's targets for the Etobicoke watershed.
  2. The Aquatic Ecosystem - the completion of a fish management plan to identify restoration opportunities for priority aquatic habitat in the areas around Toronto Pearson.
  3. Stormwater Management - an assessment of storm water management around Toronto Pearson and the identification of priority improvements to improve water quality.
  4. Integration and Priority Implementation Priorities - the integration of the recommendations from the above strategies in a spatial form to identify priorities for implementation.

Ultimately, the GTAA Living City Project provided the groundwork for developing Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco-Business Zone and engaging the business community around Toronto Pearson in watershed restoration initiatives.

To view a copy of the above reports please find them below:

  1. The Terrestrial System
  2. The Aquatic Ecosystem
  3. Stormwater Management
  4. Integration and Priority Implementation Priorities

Greater Toronto Area Spills Assessment

The Greater Toronto Area Spills Assessment was study project managed by Chris to develop a spatial interpretation of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's spills database.  The purpose of the study was to identify areas of frequent spill activity and to develop a predictive model that could be utilized to determine risk, target outreach efforts and develop spill response strategies.

The development of the study led to a number of recommendations for improving the management of spill data, as well as the development of Region of Peel Spill Decision Support System - a web-based tool for responding to spills.