Sydenham River Slope Stabilization - Margaret Avenue - MCEA

The Study

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has initiated a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to address erosion and slope stability issues along the East Sydenham River. Water’s Edge Environmental Solutions Team has been retained by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to complete the study in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The East Sydenham River is experiencing erosion and slope instability along its north bank at approximately 320 Margaret Avenue in the community of Wallaceburg, within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. This erosion and bank instability are threatening the integrity of a stormwater pump station and resulting in the loss of vegetation and tableland along the riverbank. A suitable slope stabilization solution is required to provide erosion protection and minimize the extent of the impacted area.

The Municipal Class EA evaluated a range of alternatives, including: do nothing, planted slope, vegetated riverstone bank, crib wall, armourstone retaining wall, mechanically stabilized earth slope, sheet pile wall, and relocation of the stormwater pump station. Through the evaluation of alternatives, the preferred slope stabilization strategy was identified as a vegetated riverstone treatment of the riverbank.

A key component of the study is consultation with interested stakeholders, including members of the public, Indigenous communities, landowners, and agencies. A Public Information Centre was held in person at the Wallaceburg Service Centre on October 10, 2024.

The Study Area

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report will be available for public and agency review from October 21, 2026, to November 20, 2026. A hard copy of the report will be made available to review in the atrium of the Wallaceburg Service Centre. An electronic copy of the report will be available through the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent website (www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca). Interested persons are invited to provide written comments to the project team by November 20, 2026. All comments and concerns should be directed to Matthew Link at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent using the contact information provided below.

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e., requiring approval through an individual/comprehensive Environmental Assessment before the project may proceed) or for conditions to be imposed (e.g., requiring further studies). Such requests may only be made on the grounds that the order could prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests made on other grounds will not be considered. Requests must include the requester's full name and contact information.

Requests should clearly specify the type of order being sought (a request for conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive Environmental Assessment), explain how the order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and provide supporting information. This will assist the ministry in efficiently reviewing the request. Additional information regarding requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act is available at:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-part-ii-order

The request should be submitted in writing or by email to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks using the contact information provided below, with a copy sent to Matthew Link at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.