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Talbot Trail Class Environmental Assessment Study - Notice of Completion

Summary

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (Municipality) and BT Engineering Inc. have completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum to reopen the currently closed portion of Talbot Trail east of Coatsworth Road; refer to the Study Area figure. The Talbot Trail at this location has experienced slope instability from erosion coinciding with large storm events. This has resulted in the closure of this section of the road to maintain public safety. The EA Addendum Study considered all reasonable alternatives using an Infrastructure Protection Design Criteria for a minimum 30-year hazard zone to reopen this section of Talbot Trail in the interim.

The Technically Preferred Alternative (TPA) includes implementation of a new/realigned right-of-way and 2-lane arterial roadway to the northwest of its current position from Coartsworth Road 750m easterly. This will remove Talbot Trail out of the 30-year hazard zone and permit the reopening of the roadway. The EA Addendum Report will be available for the 30-day Public Review from July 3, 2024 until August 2, 2024, found in the Documents section on this webpage.

Following the 30-day Public Review period, the Municipality will proceed with land acquisition, detailed design and supporting studies. Tendering and construction of the recommended improvements are planned for 2025.

Study Process

The project was conducted as a Schedule C Addendum under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) (2015/2023). The Addendum Study followed the MCEA process by establishing the need and justification for the project, considering all reasonable alternatives with acceptable effects on the natural, social and cultural environments, and proactively consulting with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples.

Outcome of EA

The alternative with the least negative impacts is the most preferred. Based on the evaluation, Alternative 2B (Figure 1) is the Technically Preferred alternative.

Key highlights of this solution include:

Transportation:

  • Relocation of Talbot Trail will be such that it is outside the 30-year hazard zone.
  • Talbot Trail can be reopened.
  • In comparison to other alternatives, constructability is relatively straightforward.

Natural Environment

  • The Technically Preferred Alternative will have minor impacts to the existing woodlot; however, they can be offset by re-naturalizing the area to the south, including the existing right-of-way.
  • There will be no impacts to sediment transport in Lake Erie.
  • There will be no impacts to fish habitat in Lake Erie.
  • A desktop review was conducted to determine the existing Species at Risk (SAR), including the Eastern Wood-pewee, Bobolink, and one restricted species; Eastern Fox Snake (Carolinian population) within a 1km square grid of the study area. No SAR were observed during the site visit, however Species-specific field investigations will be carried out during the appropriate seasons, and under appropriate conditions prior to construction activities taking place.

Cultural Environment

  • A Stage 1 Archeological Assessment was conducted for the original Talbot Trail Realignment EA. The Technically Preferred Alternative has archeological potential due to the proximity of 19th century transportation routes, settlement areas and structures, registered archeological sites, as well as ancient and current watercourses and wetlands. As such, a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment will be undertaken as part of the detailed design.
  • A Cultural Heritage Screening and Technical Memorandum was completed for the EA Addendum. Talbot Trail was a historic travel route created in 1792 and was an important link in the early settlement of the area. The Technically Preferred Alternative maintains the heritage elements, including this historic route as well as the existing buildings. A small portion of farmland will be lost; however, the overall impact of this loss is insignificant.

Land Use and Property

  • The Technically Preferred Alternative will require land acquisition from both 2961 and 3021 Talbot Trail. Individual meetings were held with both property owners to discuss the project. Both generally supported the preferred alternative and would be open to discussing land acquisition.
  • Alternative 2B avoids the existing structures at 3021 Talbot Trail. It is also located south of the existing Greenhouse development and residence at 2961 Talbot Trail.
  • The proposed alternative will have impacts to existing underground utilities servicing the greenhouse development. These impacts were discussed with the property owner and will be managed in advance of, and through, detailed design and into construction. All necessary works on privately owned infrastructure will be completed in coordination with the property owner.
  • There are no impacts to lands immediately outside the study area.

Cost

The Technically Preferred Alternative has the lowest estimated cost as compared to all other alternatives.

Public Consultation to Date

The study was carried out in consultation with Municipality of Chatham-Kent staff, external agencies, property owners, the public, and Indigenous Peoples. Notification letters went out to all stakeholders and Study Area residents. The letters to the Indigenous Peoples included an offer to meet with the respective communities at a time and location of their choice. The Talbot Trail EA Addendum Study consultation included the following:

  • One (1) Public Consultation Centre (PCC), as well as a virtual option on the Chatham-Kent Let’s Talk webpage (open for comment from November 14-28, 2023).
  • Liaison with external agencies.
  • Property owner discussions.
  • Consultation with Indigenous Peoples.

Notices for the Study Commencement/Public Consultation Centre (PCC) were posted on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK) website, newspaper, as well as mailed to the contact list.

The PCC was held in-person on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Ryder Hall, Tilbury Arena, 49 Bond Ave, Tilbury, Ontario. Municipal and consultant staff were available to answer questions. Approximately seventy (70) people attended the event.

The PCC exhibits were also made available on the Municipality’s website at: www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca for the duration of the project. Following the PCC, there was a 14-day comment period during which comments were received.

Staff received concerns from some members of the public regarding the realignment of the existing roadway to reinstate traffic through this area as opposed to proceeding with the Long-Range Protection Plan corridor improvements and specifically improvements along 2nd Concession. The purpose of the EA Addendum study was to review alternatives for the area of Talbot Trail Road, in the vicinity of the existing road closure, that considered a minimum 30-year hazard zone (which refers to the zone along the shoreline where the top of bluff is retreating and is expected to break away into the lake as sections become unstable) to enable the Municipality to reopen this section of Talbot Trail in the interim. A solution with a targeted 30-year horizon is consistent with the typical lifespan of a roadway, at which point a road would require some level of maintenance/renewal costs to maintain that infrastructure and/or relocate the roadway in this case.

Staff also received comments of concern regarding the consideration of climate change in the projected erosion rates and hazard zones. The study has considered erosion rates and impacts of climate change and has evaluated alternatives for the road that consider a projected 30-year hazard zone. The shoreline erosion in this area has been assessed by several studies over the years. The Zuzek report documented a historical retreat rate of 0.42m/year for 14km to the east of Hodovick Road, which encompasses the study area. Based on the coastal engineering component of the original EA, it was estimated that the rate of retreat would accelerate from the historical rates reported in the Zuzek report. For the EA addendum, a 1m/year retreat rate for the 30-year horizon is predicted to reflect the expected acceleration due to climate change. As the 1m/year estimated erosion rate is only a prediction based on historical data, the location of the proposed relocated segment of the road has been conservatively set back from the projected future hazard zone.

Additional Public Comments and Responses can be found in the Documents section on this page.

30-Day Public Review Period of EA Addendum Report

The EA Addendum Report will be available online at: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca from July 3, 2024 until August 2, 2024. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to Mark McFadden and Steve Taylor per the contact details below.

Outstanding Issues After EA Addendum Review

The public may request a higher level of assessment on the project if they are concerned about potential adverse impacts to constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights, Section 16(6) of the Environmental Assessment Act. In the event there are outstanding issues, a request to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order imposing additional conditions or requiring an individual environmental assessment may be made on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests should include your full name and contact information. Requests should also be sent to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent by mail or by email to the two project individuals below:

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Email: minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
Email: EABDirector@ontario.ca

Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: Class environmental assessments: Section 16 Order | ontario.ca.

Next Steps

Notices have been sent to all property owners within the study limits, as well as all stakeholders and agencies, notifying them of the completion of the study and the minimum 30-day review period.

Following the 30-day Public Review period, the Municipality will proceed with land acquisition, detailed design and supporting studies including the Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment and additional species-specific field investigations.

Tendering and construction of the recommended improvements are planned for 2025.

If there are any other outstanding concern(s), they should be directed to the Manager and Project Manager listed below, no later than August 2, 2024.

Steve Taylor, P.Eng.
EA Project Manager, BT Engineering Inc.
509 Talbot Street, London, Ontario N6A 2S5
Tel: 519-672-2222
Toll Free: 1-866-218-1001
Email: stevenj.taylor@bteng.ca

Mark McFadden, P.Eng.
Manager, Engineering
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8
Tel: 519-360-1998 ext. 3307
Email: mark.mcfadden@chatham-kent.ca


Information is being collected in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act and the Municipal Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act (2009). Personal information you submit will become part of the public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

Summary

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (Municipality) and BT Engineering Inc. have completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum to reopen the currently closed portion of Talbot Trail east of Coatsworth Road; refer to the Study Area figure. The Talbot Trail at this location has experienced slope instability from erosion coinciding with large storm events. This has resulted in the closure of this section of the road to maintain public safety. The EA Addendum Study considered all reasonable alternatives using an Infrastructure Protection Design Criteria for a minimum 30-year hazard zone to reopen this section of Talbot Trail in the interim.

The Technically Preferred Alternative (TPA) includes implementation of a new/realigned right-of-way and 2-lane arterial roadway to the northwest of its current position from Coartsworth Road 750m easterly. This will remove Talbot Trail out of the 30-year hazard zone and permit the reopening of the roadway. The EA Addendum Report will be available for the 30-day Public Review from July 3, 2024 until August 2, 2024, found in the Documents section on this webpage.

Following the 30-day Public Review period, the Municipality will proceed with land acquisition, detailed design and supporting studies. Tendering and construction of the recommended improvements are planned for 2025.

Study Process

The project was conducted as a Schedule C Addendum under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) (2015/2023). The Addendum Study followed the MCEA process by establishing the need and justification for the project, considering all reasonable alternatives with acceptable effects on the natural, social and cultural environments, and proactively consulting with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples.

Outcome of EA

The alternative with the least negative impacts is the most preferred. Based on the evaluation, Alternative 2B (Figure 1) is the Technically Preferred alternative.

Key highlights of this solution include:

Transportation:

  • Relocation of Talbot Trail will be such that it is outside the 30-year hazard zone.
  • Talbot Trail can be reopened.
  • In comparison to other alternatives, constructability is relatively straightforward.

Natural Environment

  • The Technically Preferred Alternative will have minor impacts to the existing woodlot; however, they can be offset by re-naturalizing the area to the south, including the existing right-of-way.
  • There will be no impacts to sediment transport in Lake Erie.
  • There will be no impacts to fish habitat in Lake Erie.
  • A desktop review was conducted to determine the existing Species at Risk (SAR), including the Eastern Wood-pewee, Bobolink, and one restricted species; Eastern Fox Snake (Carolinian population) within a 1km square grid of the study area. No SAR were observed during the site visit, however Species-specific field investigations will be carried out during the appropriate seasons, and under appropriate conditions prior to construction activities taking place.

Cultural Environment

  • A Stage 1 Archeological Assessment was conducted for the original Talbot Trail Realignment EA. The Technically Preferred Alternative has archeological potential due to the proximity of 19th century transportation routes, settlement areas and structures, registered archeological sites, as well as ancient and current watercourses and wetlands. As such, a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment will be undertaken as part of the detailed design.
  • A Cultural Heritage Screening and Technical Memorandum was completed for the EA Addendum. Talbot Trail was a historic travel route created in 1792 and was an important link in the early settlement of the area. The Technically Preferred Alternative maintains the heritage elements, including this historic route as well as the existing buildings. A small portion of farmland will be lost; however, the overall impact of this loss is insignificant.

Land Use and Property

  • The Technically Preferred Alternative will require land acquisition from both 2961 and 3021 Talbot Trail. Individual meetings were held with both property owners to discuss the project. Both generally supported the preferred alternative and would be open to discussing land acquisition.
  • Alternative 2B avoids the existing structures at 3021 Talbot Trail. It is also located south of the existing Greenhouse development and residence at 2961 Talbot Trail.
  • The proposed alternative will have impacts to existing underground utilities servicing the greenhouse development. These impacts were discussed with the property owner and will be managed in advance of, and through, detailed design and into construction. All necessary works on privately owned infrastructure will be completed in coordination with the property owner.
  • There are no impacts to lands immediately outside the study area.

Cost

The Technically Preferred Alternative has the lowest estimated cost as compared to all other alternatives.

Public Consultation to Date

The study was carried out in consultation with Municipality of Chatham-Kent staff, external agencies, property owners, the public, and Indigenous Peoples. Notification letters went out to all stakeholders and Study Area residents. The letters to the Indigenous Peoples included an offer to meet with the respective communities at a time and location of their choice. The Talbot Trail EA Addendum Study consultation included the following:

  • One (1) Public Consultation Centre (PCC), as well as a virtual option on the Chatham-Kent Let’s Talk webpage (open for comment from November 14-28, 2023).
  • Liaison with external agencies.
  • Property owner discussions.
  • Consultation with Indigenous Peoples.

Notices for the Study Commencement/Public Consultation Centre (PCC) were posted on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK) website, newspaper, as well as mailed to the contact list.

The PCC was held in-person on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Ryder Hall, Tilbury Arena, 49 Bond Ave, Tilbury, Ontario. Municipal and consultant staff were available to answer questions. Approximately seventy (70) people attended the event.

The PCC exhibits were also made available on the Municipality’s website at: www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca for the duration of the project. Following the PCC, there was a 14-day comment period during which comments were received.

Staff received concerns from some members of the public regarding the realignment of the existing roadway to reinstate traffic through this area as opposed to proceeding with the Long-Range Protection Plan corridor improvements and specifically improvements along 2nd Concession. The purpose of the EA Addendum study was to review alternatives for the area of Talbot Trail Road, in the vicinity of the existing road closure, that considered a minimum 30-year hazard zone (which refers to the zone along the shoreline where the top of bluff is retreating and is expected to break away into the lake as sections become unstable) to enable the Municipality to reopen this section of Talbot Trail in the interim. A solution with a targeted 30-year horizon is consistent with the typical lifespan of a roadway, at which point a road would require some level of maintenance/renewal costs to maintain that infrastructure and/or relocate the roadway in this case.

Staff also received comments of concern regarding the consideration of climate change in the projected erosion rates and hazard zones. The study has considered erosion rates and impacts of climate change and has evaluated alternatives for the road that consider a projected 30-year hazard zone. The shoreline erosion in this area has been assessed by several studies over the years. The Zuzek report documented a historical retreat rate of 0.42m/year for 14km to the east of Hodovick Road, which encompasses the study area. Based on the coastal engineering component of the original EA, it was estimated that the rate of retreat would accelerate from the historical rates reported in the Zuzek report. For the EA addendum, a 1m/year retreat rate for the 30-year horizon is predicted to reflect the expected acceleration due to climate change. As the 1m/year estimated erosion rate is only a prediction based on historical data, the location of the proposed relocated segment of the road has been conservatively set back from the projected future hazard zone.

Additional Public Comments and Responses can be found in the Documents section on this page.

30-Day Public Review Period of EA Addendum Report

The EA Addendum Report will be available online at: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca from July 3, 2024 until August 2, 2024. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to Mark McFadden and Steve Taylor per the contact details below.

Outstanding Issues After EA Addendum Review

The public may request a higher level of assessment on the project if they are concerned about potential adverse impacts to constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights, Section 16(6) of the Environmental Assessment Act. In the event there are outstanding issues, a request to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order imposing additional conditions or requiring an individual environmental assessment may be made on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests should include your full name and contact information. Requests should also be sent to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent by mail or by email to the two project individuals below:

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Email: minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
Email: EABDirector@ontario.ca

Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: Class environmental assessments: Section 16 Order | ontario.ca.

Next Steps

Notices have been sent to all property owners within the study limits, as well as all stakeholders and agencies, notifying them of the completion of the study and the minimum 30-day review period.

Following the 30-day Public Review period, the Municipality will proceed with land acquisition, detailed design and supporting studies including the Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment and additional species-specific field investigations.

Tendering and construction of the recommended improvements are planned for 2025.

If there are any other outstanding concern(s), they should be directed to the Manager and Project Manager listed below, no later than August 2, 2024.

Steve Taylor, P.Eng.
EA Project Manager, BT Engineering Inc.
509 Talbot Street, London, Ontario N6A 2S5
Tel: 519-672-2222
Toll Free: 1-866-218-1001
Email: stevenj.taylor@bteng.ca

Mark McFadden, P.Eng.
Manager, Engineering
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8
Tel: 519-360-1998 ext. 3307
Email: mark.mcfadden@chatham-kent.ca


Information is being collected in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act and the Municipal Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act (2009). Personal information you submit will become part of the public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

Page last updated: 03 Jul 2024, 08:44 AM