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Home My WebLink AboutOES 41-09 C-4 00 REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PICK Report Number: OES 41-09 Date: July 6, 2009 " 294 From: Everett Buntsma Director, Operations & Emergency Services Subject: Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Environmental Assessment - Status Update - File: A-1440-001-09 Recommendation: 1. That Report OES 41-09 of the Director, Operations & Emergency Services concerning the Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Environmental Assessment be received for information; and 2. That Council endorse the submission of the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) to the Ministry of the Environment. Executive Summary: This Report provides an information update on the Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Environmental Assessment work completed to date. Financial Implications: In the 2008 Capital Budget, Council approved the Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Project in the amount of $300,000 in account 5780 Parks, project number 5780-0818. This project is financed by a Provincial Grant of $300,000 received in 2007. There are no new financial implication at this time. Sustainability Implications: 1. An improved Harbour Entrance will improve the economic viability of the marine businesses and tourism within Frenchman's Bay. 2. The work will support the community fabric and municipal planning objectives of creating a "Nautical Village" on the east side of Frenchman's Bay as noted in the City's and Region's Official Plans. 3. The work will improve safety and navigability for all entrance users. Report OES 41-09 July 6,;2009 Subject: Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Environmental Assessment Page 2 4. The work will improve the environmental aspects and the overall ecological health of Frenchman's Bay and its' wetlands. Background: The Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance project is being conducted in accordance with the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act R.S.O., 1990 that allows municipal proponents to meet the requirements of the Act for municipal infrastructure projects. Following the approved MEA Class EA process for Schedule C projects, the City of Pickering is the project proponent, while TRCA is acting as project manager. In addition to the Class EA process, an environmental screening under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) will be triggered in response to the potential environmental impacts that the physical work will produce pursuant to the federal Fisheries Act and Navigable Waters Protection Act, as well as potential for Federal funding that may also be used to implement the project. Recognizing the need for accountability to the public and stakeholders, the City of Pickering and TRCA worked together to identify potential stakeholders in the study area. To facilitate ongoing stakeholder involvement during the planning component of the project a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) made up of stakeholder representatives was formed and met four times throughout the project. In compliance with the approved EA process, two Public Information Centres (PICs) were held to allow for public comment on the project. These public meetings provided opportunities for the community to be made aware of the project and to have their concerns addressed. TRCA contracted the services of a professional facilitator (Sue Cumming and Company) for meetings of both the Community Liaison Committee and Public Information Centres. The Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance project is being developed to address the safety concerns associated with the deteriorated condition of the harbour entrance. The project will result in the creation of a safe harbour entrance that supports the marine function of the Bay, while preserving or enhancing the ecological conditions and considering opportunities for improved public amenities, waterfront access and trails. This project was identified as a priority within the Council approved Pickering Waterfront 5-Year Implementation Plan and the City of Pirkering(s Waterfront Vision and Objectives. Description of the Preferred Alternative As detailed in the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) (under separate cover), the results of the evaluation of alternatives led to the preliminary identification of the preferred alternative for agency and public consideration. Based on the comments received through the consultation process it was determined that refinement was required to satisfy the following objectives: CORP0227-07/01 revised Report OES 41-09 July 6, 2009 Subject: Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance !Environmental Assessment Page 3 296 • Public access and safety of pedestrians', on breakwaters e.g. lifesaving equipment, ladders, and/or physical barriers at water's edge capable of withstanding ice. • Navigation lights (two light system preferred by boaters). • Paddling space for canoes and kayaks within the channel. • Fishing access and fish habitat improvements. • Option for historic lighthouse to encourage tourism and establish waterfront identity. • Trail connections to east and west spits. • Other public amenities such as seating and interpretive signs. The preferred alternative proposes enclosure of the east log crib in steel sheet pile lined with sloped rip-rap and armour stone and construction of a new western armour stone breakwater located further west to provide the required minimum channel width. The western breakwater also has an increased crest width to facilitate the addition of a pile supported walkway at a later date, based on future demand. Attachment 1 presents a plan view and cross-section of the preferred alternative. Next Steps A Notice of Completion for the EA is scheduled to be issued at the end of July 2009. The ESR will concurrently be filed with the Ministry of the Environment for the required 30 day public review period, where copies of the ESR will be made available to the public through the ClerKs Division, at the Central Library and on the City's website. If no Part II Order Request ('Bump UO) is received during this public review period, the ESR would be approved and the EA would be complete. Subject to funding and suitable arrangements for the required property, the City may proceed with implementation and construction of the project: Following completion of the EA a report will be, presented to Council as detailed in Resolution #105/08. Attachments: 1. Plan View and Cross Section of the Preferred Alternative CORP0227-07/01 revised i Report OES 41-09 July 6,12009 Subject: Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Environmental Assessment Page 4 297 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed B Marilee Gadzovski Evere untsma Stormwater & Environmental Engineer Director, Operations & Emergency Services JRi and W. Hborn on Head cipal Property & Engineering MG:mg Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Ci C cil ~i T J.Qu R,C Cfiief Administrative Officer CORP0227-07/01 revised ATTACHMENT#-/- fbREPORT41-0y 298 Attachment 1: ` of 1 "1-,, 1 C J .M. { r, Amy s r Plan View of the Preferred Alternative vas eoo~ rte I OR MORE am 00" woo~~ ARMgJRQ' M • ~ Ri RM ' ~fi PNE i ooRF I TM CM ! AAMOIIR eimtiE A"YM HAWAI Elaetrw d.,o eE R + # AipI7CCifFilfAT Cross-section of the Preferred Alternative