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. Matrix Solutions Inc. has been retained by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to complete the study in compliance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

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

Alternative Evaluation Update

Four alternatives were identified for evaluation through the Municipal Class EA process, including: 1) Do Nothing, 2) Close Road, 3) Re-align Road, and 4) Retain/Protect Road. The evaluation considered environmental, social, cultural, technical, and economical criteria, and impacts identified through public, agency and Indigenous consultation.

First Nations, government agencies and public stakeholders were consulted through the Public Information Centre (PIC) and on-going consultation activities for the study. Feedback received was largely supportive of the draft preferred alternative solutions that were recommended for each site. However, key concerns were identified from the feedback regarding public safety risks for the road closure option at Site 2. Specific elements of the concerns included impacts on response times for emergency services and safety implications of rerouted farm vehicle traffic. Upon gathering and considering all feedback received throughout the public consultation period, the project team has updated the evaluation criteria, including social, technical and financial evaluation elements. As a result, the updated evaluation scoring now identifies Option 3: Road Re-alignment as the preferred alternative having the least overall impact for Site 2. The evaluation continues to recommend Option 4: Retain and Protect Roadway for Sites 1, 3 and 4.

Next Steps

Feedback for the updated evaluation will be received before bringing the study recommendations to Council. Once the recommendations have been finalized, a Notice of Completion will be distributed, 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 Feedback is Important to us!

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 September 16, 2024.