Sydenham River Slope Stabilization – Glasgow Line & Short Line

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. The study area includes four separate sites of concern along the Sydenham River between Tupperville and Dresden which are subject to on-going bank erosion and slope instability. The conditions of the slopes pose risks to road users, private property and infrastructure along Glasgow Line and Short Line.

Study Area

• Site #1 - Near 9112 Glasgow Line
• Site #2 - Near 9331 Glasgow Line
• Site #3 - Near 9538 Glasgow Line
• Site #4 - Near 9393 Short Line

The Municipal Class EA evaluated a set of alternatives that included: Do Nothing, Close Roadway, Realign Roadway, and Retain and Protect Roadway. Through an evaluation of alternatives considering environmental, social, cultural, technical, and economical criteria, and feedback received through public consultation, the study identified the preferred alternative solution at Sites 1, 3 and 4 to be Retain and Protect. At Site 2, the preferred alternative was identified to be Realign Glasgow Line. On December 15, 2024, the EA recommendations were brought to Municipal Council, and a motion was passed to approve and direct staff towards the Retain and Protect option for all four sites. The Retain and Protect alternative was ranked closely to the road realignment alternative in the evaluation matrix for Site 2, with its own advantages and disadvantages, and is a technically viable solution for Site 2. The Retain and Protection solutions will involve installation of vegetated rock protection along the bank, drainage improvements and restoration of the sites.

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report will be available on public record for a 30 calendar-day review period from January 22, 2025 to February 22, 2025. An electronic copy of the report can be found in the Documents Section of this page. Interested persons may provide written comment to our project team by February 22. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, per the contact details 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 an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name.

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request. Please visit the ministry's website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act.

The request should be sent in writing or by email to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks per contact details below, and also copied to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.