HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-004 - Idlewood Creek Environmental Assessment (EA)
REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: February 13, 2017
SUBMITTED BY: Nick Gollan, C.E.T., Manager Stormwater Utility
(519-741-2200 x 7422)
PREPARED BY: Leah Walter, C.E.T., P.Eng., Design & Construction Project
Manager (519-741-2200 x 7827)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2
DATE OF REPORT: January 26, 2017
REPORT NO.: INS 17-004
SUBJECT:Idlewood Creek Environmental Assessment
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RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Idlewood Creek Environmental Study Report (ESR) prepared by AMEC Foster
Wheeler dated January 26, 2017 be received; and further
THAT the Idlewood Creek Environmental Study Report (ESR) be filed with the Ministry of
the Environment and Climate Change for the mandatory thirty (30) day review period as
required by the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act.
BACKGROUND:
Idlewood Creek, located in the southeastern portion of the City, has a drainage area of
442 hectares. In the early 1990s, in response to concerns from downstream property
owners as well as an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board opposing residential zoning
bylaw amendments, the City commissioned the Idlewood Creek Master Drainage Plan.
The intent of the study was to determine whether additional measures were required to
address flooding and erosion. The study recommended that more stringent stormwater
management criteria be used for further development and also recommended erosion
protection works on private property.
With development in this watershed mostly complete, the City of Kitchener has
undertaken an Environmental Assessment study with the consultant AMEC Foster
Wheeler to evaluate the best alternatives to address various environmental, private
property and infrastructure concerns along Idlewood Creek, specifically long term
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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sedimentation and erosion processes in the creek, as well as investigate whether there
are any issues with two online dams.
REPORT:
The study is being completed under Schedule “B” of the Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment (EA) process. This portion of the study specifically addresses Phases 1 & 2
of the EA process.
A number of alternative solutions were evaluated by the consulting team using
Technical, Environmental, Economic and Social/Cultural criteria within a matrix
evaluation process. Preferred solutions have been identified in three specific locations
of the creek which will address the identified concerns.
Project Issues and Recommendations
The project was initiated to investigate two online dam structures and address long term
erosion in the creek. Through the evaluation process it was found that a combination of
alternatives D1 and D3 best addressed the flooding and erosion problems along the
creek. The recommended solutions for the three segments of Idlewood Creek are as
follows:
Alternative D1: Creek Rehabilitation – Realignment
A short realignment using natural channel design will involve removal of the former
Woolner Road crossing.
The crossing removal would result in an improved stream profile and reduced flood
elevations at Fairway Road.
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Creek restoration would be required for approximately 20 m, with 1320 m of
embankment removal.
Preliminary cost estimate for the culvert removal is $130,000.
Alternative D3: Creek Rehabilitation – Dam Removal (West Dam)
Historically owned and still under City of Kitchener ownership
Decommissioning the dam will reduce risk and provide a stable realigned
channel that will facilitate fish passage.
The solution will include a 60 m long bypass channel and preservation of the
wetland function within the existing backwater pool, with appropriate flow
splitting and restoration elements.
Micro grading would allow the off-line wetland area to receive creek flow
during larger storm events.
A preliminary cost estimate for the City dam removal is $475,000 which is
contingent on sediment quality and related disposal costs.
Alternative D3: Creek Rehabilitation – Dam Removal (East Dam)
Historically privately owned property (155 Woolner Trail) which was recently
purchased by the City of Kitchener (September 8, 2016).
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The solution provides the longest possible channel realignment
(approximately 200m).
The preliminary cost estimate for this work is $1,120,000 which is also
contingent on the sediment quality within the head pond and related disposal
costs.
The recent purchase of the property at 155 Woolner Trail will also facilitate
potential connections for the Walter Bean Grand River Trail along the Grand
River.
Detailed design and construction is scheduled for 2017/2018.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority: 4 Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
Strategy: 4.2 Develop measures to manage stormwater and improve water quality in the
city’s watersheds.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications at this time. The costs to implement the
recommended solutions identified in the Idlewood EA are approximately $2.07M.
Future reports will seek council approval on detailed design and construction and will be
funded out of the Storm Water Utility’s Watercourse Improvement Program account as
described in the ISWM-MP Implementation Plan.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
CONSULT – Two Public Information Centre (PIC) meetings have occurred to provide
opportunities for public feedback into the process and the materials presented at each
meeting. PIC #1 allowed for feedback on the long list of alternatives being considered
and the PIC #2 presented the preferred alternatives. The information presented at each
PIC was also presented to Kitchener’s Environmental Committee.
In addition to the two PICs that occurred as part of the Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment process, and the presentations given at the Environmental Committee, the
City will also make the project file available on the public record for a 30 day review
period during which members of the public may voice any concerns about the project in
writing to the Minister of the Environment. All information about this study from the
Notice of Study Commencement and including all information presented at the Public
Information Centres is posted on the City’s website.
The preliminary design work and final report prepared by AMEC Foster Wheeler
incorporates feedback from both PICs and the environmental committee meeting.
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INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting.
CONCLUSION:
The study confirms that the in-stream intervention is necessary to cease further erosive
activity within Idlewood Creek while removing risk posed by the further degradation and
upkeep related to the two dams. The preferred solutions have been presented to the
public and feedback has been incorporated into the preliminary design and final report.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure
Services
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