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Sydenham River Slope Stabilization - Margaret Avenue - MCEA

Consultation has concluded

The Study

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule ‘B’ to determine appropriate mitigation strategies to address erosion and slope stability issues along the Sydenham River. Water’s Edge Environmental Solutions Team Ltd. has been retained by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to complete the study in compliance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The study area along the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg is subject to on-going bank erosion and slope instability. The conditions of the slopes pose risks to road users, private property and infrastructure along Margaret Avenue.

The Study Area


Evaluation of Alternative Solutions


Eight (8) alternatives have been identified for evaluation through the Municipal Class EA process, including:

Option -1. Do Nothing

Option -2. Planted Slope

Option -3. Vegetated Riverstone

Option -4. Crib Wall

Option -5. Armourstone Retaining Wall

Option -6. Mechanically Stabilized Earth Slope

Option -7. Steel Sheet Pile Wall

Option -8. Storm Pumping Station Relocation

Design options are applied to two zones within the study area: Zone 1, the area in close proximity to the stormwater pump station, and Zone 2, the area immediately east of Zone 1. Design options are applied to both areas: Zone 1, the area influenced by the pump station, and Zone 2, the riverbank east of the pump station. The evaluation considers environmental, social, cultural, technical, and economic criteria, and impacts identified through public, agency, and Indigenous consultation.

Public Information Centre

A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held in Wallaceburg with a drop-in open house format (no formal presentation) to provide an opportunity for residents and interested members of the public to review and comment on the proposed recommendations, including the preferred alternatives, the evaluation process, and the next steps in the study process. The PIC will be held as follows:

Thursday October 10, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Wallaceburg Service Centre

786 Dufferin Avenue (James Street), Wallaceburg

Recommended Solutions

The recommended solution for Zone 1, adjacent to the storm pump station, is the Steel Sheet Pile Wall and the recommended solution for Zone 2, the riverbank east of the pump station, is the Vegetated Riverstone. The draft evaluation for the site considered factors such as safety, property impacts, transportation, land access, aquatic/terrestrial habitat, and implementation constraints and costs.

Next Steps

Once the public feedback and recommendations have been finalized, a Notice of Completion will be posted, and the Project File Report will be made available for a 30-day public review period on the Let's Talk Chatham-Kent website.

Your Input is Important!

To submit a comment or question, to receive additional information, or if you have accessibility requirements to participate in this Study, please contact a member of the project team.

Please provide your comments by November 15, 2024.

The Study

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule ‘B’ to determine appropriate mitigation strategies to address erosion and slope stability issues along the Sydenham River. Water’s Edge Environmental Solutions Team Ltd. has been retained by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to complete the study in compliance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The study area along the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg is subject to on-going bank erosion and slope instability. The conditions of the slopes pose risks to road users, private property and infrastructure along Margaret Avenue.

The Study Area


Evaluation of Alternative Solutions


Eight (8) alternatives have been identified for evaluation through the Municipal Class EA process, including:

Option -1. Do Nothing

Option -2. Planted Slope

Option -3. Vegetated Riverstone

Option -4. Crib Wall

Option -5. Armourstone Retaining Wall

Option -6. Mechanically Stabilized Earth Slope

Option -7. Steel Sheet Pile Wall

Option -8. Storm Pumping Station Relocation

Design options are applied to two zones within the study area: Zone 1, the area in close proximity to the stormwater pump station, and Zone 2, the area immediately east of Zone 1. Design options are applied to both areas: Zone 1, the area influenced by the pump station, and Zone 2, the riverbank east of the pump station. The evaluation considers environmental, social, cultural, technical, and economic criteria, and impacts identified through public, agency, and Indigenous consultation.

Public Information Centre

A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held in Wallaceburg with a drop-in open house format (no formal presentation) to provide an opportunity for residents and interested members of the public to review and comment on the proposed recommendations, including the preferred alternatives, the evaluation process, and the next steps in the study process. The PIC will be held as follows:

Thursday October 10, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Wallaceburg Service Centre

786 Dufferin Avenue (James Street), Wallaceburg

Recommended Solutions

The recommended solution for Zone 1, adjacent to the storm pump station, is the Steel Sheet Pile Wall and the recommended solution for Zone 2, the riverbank east of the pump station, is the Vegetated Riverstone. The draft evaluation for the site considered factors such as safety, property impacts, transportation, land access, aquatic/terrestrial habitat, and implementation constraints and costs.

Next Steps

Once the public feedback and recommendations have been finalized, a Notice of Completion will be posted, and the Project File Report will be made available for a 30-day public review period on the Let's Talk Chatham-Kent website.

Your Input is Important!

To submit a comment or question, to receive additional information, or if you have accessibility requirements to participate in this Study, please contact a member of the project team.

Please provide your comments by November 15, 2024.