Permanent Removal of the Grebe Platforms from the Storm Management Pond

At Humber Bay Park East

Red-necked Grebe on the Storm Management Pond

Irene and I have been corresponding with TRCA(Ralph Toninger) and Toronto Water(Sarah Duff) about
placing a grebe platform in the Storm water pond again. Observing that pair has given so much pleasure
to so many for the last few years, we made every effort to try to reverse the decision. Immediately below
is the final decision, which we received today:
Dear David and Irene,
Sorry for the delay in sending our response to the enquiries of park users concerning the removal of the
Grebe platform from the City of Toronto's Flow Balancing Stormwater Management Facility (SWMF) at
Humber Bay Park. TRCA and the City understand and appreciate the concerns of park users about the
removal of the platform. This letter has been prepared in consultation with Toronto Water to respond to
enquiries from Irene Jardine and park users on this matter.
By way of background, the SWMF was built in the late 1990s as one of several stormwater management
facilities along Lake Ontario to help improve water quality in the nearshore of Lake Ontario. The SWMF
receives stormwater surface runoff from the urban environment (i.e. roads), which consists of phosphorus,
suspended solids, and other nutrients that adversely impact water quality along the Lake Ontario
shoreline. As the stormwater moves through the different cells of the SWMF, the quality of the
stormwater is improved before it is discharged to Lake Ontario.
Similar to other stormwater management facilities, the SWMF was not designed to provide habitat for
birds and other wildlife, and features to attract birds and other wildlife are not appropriate at the facility.
The City advises that its key priorities with respect to the SWMF facility are to ensure that the
infrastructure is in good condition, the facility is operating as designed and approved (by the Ontario
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change) to treat stormwater, and to protect public health and
safety. This requires periodic inspections, maintenance (e.g. dredging), and infrastructure repairs, etc.,
involving equipment that could disturb birds wildlife that is using the SWMF facility for nesting.

Given the above, TRCA staff removed the Grebe platform from the SWMF as a measure to make the
SWMF less attractive to the Grebes that are nesting there, with the goal of reducing disturbances to the
Grebes population. This action is complementary to signage at the SWMF that discourages the public
from feeding birds, which is another measure to reduce birds being attracted to the SWMF.
TRCA has permanently relocated the Grebe platform, and will instead work to attract them to use more
suitable natural habitat that is not impacted by periodic operational and maintenance works. The TRCA
would be pleased to work with you and interested individuals on a holistic strategy for the bird and
wildlife populations at the park, and across the waterfront in general. TRCA, working with Parks Forestry
and Recreation, will continue to work on strategies to provide habitat for Grebes and other species in
nearby suitable areas, like the lagoons to the south east, and south west of the SWMF. These locations
should be better suited for the nesting of Red-necked Grebes.
In your e-mail you also indicated that fishing is taking place at the SWMF. Currently, signage at the
facility communicates the rules that apply for visitors concerning fishing in the area. TRCA is a firm
supporter of sustainable fishing in Toronto, and will continue discussions with the City promote fishing in
appropriate locations at the park. In addition, through our discussions I understand that there is a problem
with motorboat and jet ski activity in the area. TRCA will look into this issue as these activities can
negative impact the Grebes and other wildlife using these areas.
Thank you for your understanding on this matter and we hope to continue to work with you and the
community in the future. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any additional questions or information.
Sincerely,
Ralph Toninger
Senior Manager, Restoration Projects
Restoration and Infrastructure
Toronto and Region Conservation
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