Public Forum #1
June 23, 2005
Website: www.trca.on.ca Phone: 416-660-6600 Presentation Outline • Introduction • Project Context • Project Team • Project Schedule • Purpose and Requirements of an Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference (ToR) • Consultation Plan • Goal and Objectives of the Undertaking • Alternatives To and Alternative Methods • Study Areas • Other Considerations A Vision: The Don River Mouth of the Future
West Don Lands
Existing and Flood Protection Landform Planned Don River Park Revitalization Initiatives and Rail Bridge Extension Infrastructure Gardiner Lakeshore/Rail
Port Lands
Commissioners Park
Don Greenway
Cherry St. Bridge Modification
Potential Queens Quay Re-alignment
Lake Ontario Park
East Bayfront TWRC – Mission for the Don River Mouth
• Transform entire Toronto waterfront for all Canadians, to foster growth and to significantly enhance how the City is perceived. • Naturalization and flood protection along the Lower Don River is a priority project. CITY OF TORONTO
• A dream of transforming and re-energizing its waterfront into one of the great waterfronts of the world. A dream of building a spectacular gateway to this city, this province and this country. Task Force to Bring Back the Don • An urban wilderness…shared by nature’s creatures alongside offices & homes.
• A destination…..people go to work or to have fun, & city meets nature.
• A gateway….for fish & wildlife, & people to travel.
• A large place……with space for solitude. Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
• An opportunity to correct the most significant flood risk hazard in their jurisdiction and to achieve a high level of naturalization along the Don River mouth.…an opportunity to have a dream realized. Flood Protection Area Expediting the Process
To help accelerate the process, the overall revitalization/flood protection initiative was separated into two separate projects:
The Lower Don River West Remedial Flood Protection Project – to eliminate the flood risk to Spill Zone 3. Encompasses 210 ha on the west bank of the Don River, and includes the West Don Lands, the East Bayfront area, and part of downtown Toronto
The Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection project – to restore the river mouth to a more natural state, and to eliminate the flood risk to Spill Zones 1 & 2. Flood plain encompasses 230 ha including the Port Lands & the lands on the east bank of Don River. Current Project Status
• The Lower Don River West Remedial Flood Protection Project was conducted as a Class Environmental Assessment undertaking and a Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) Screening, and is now proceeding to the design & implementation phase.
• The Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project is being undertaken as an Individual Environmental Assessment and CEAA Screening. Lower Don River West - Class EA Lower Don River West - Class EA
1) Developed functional design for the protection of the Spill Zone 3 floodplain area – includes West Don Lands & East Bayfront Precinct Plans;
2) Completed Environmental Study Report - Planning approval for project;
3) Remaining items:
Finalize the CEAA document – the federal environmental screening report – a submission has been circulated and through on-going discussions with the agencies, approval is anticipated shortly;
Resolution of outstanding issues. Detailed Design & Contract Administration Component 1 of LDRW Remedial Flood Protection Project 1) Design Team has been selected, conceptual alternatives have been prepared, and TAC and CLC meetings have been convened.
2) A Public Open House is also being held this evening in Rm 307, just down the hall.
3) The components included as part of this design & construction assignment are:
the bridge extension at the CN Kingston Subdivision (over the Don River);
the pedestrian underpass at the Go Transit Bala Subdivision; and
the dyke/retaining wall works on the East Bank. Decommissioning and Demolition of Buildings & Roadways in the West Don Lands
1) Consultant Team for the demolition strategy component has been retained by Ontario Realty Corporation.
2) Project area includes lands bounded by Don River, Queen Street, Cherry Street, and the Railway Corridor.
3) Scope of Work includes the decommissioning and demolition of 16 buildings along with the paved driveways, parking areas, foundations, footings, existing roadways and trees.
4) Current schedule is for design completion by end of 2005 and construction completion by May 2006. West Don Lands Soil & Groundwater Management Strategy
1) Current ORC initiative to enable the implementation of the West Don Lands Precinct Plan and the construction of the flood protection landform.
2) The Scope of Work includes the development of soil & groundwater remedial solutions to address contamination sources and any remaining contamination. Range of possible measures – source removal, reactive barriers, in-situ bioremediation, and monitored natural attenuation.
3) Development of the management strategy is scheduled for completion by the Fall of 2005.
4) TWRC are also developing a strategy to remediate more contaminated soils on site for reuse within the project area to minimize the volume of soils for disposal. Design and Contract Administration of the Flood Protection Landform
1) Anticipated that a Request for Proposal will be issued by Ontario Realty Corporation in July 2005.
2) The Scope of Work will include the design and construction of the Flood Protection Landform, the affected municipal infrastructure (i.e., sewers watermains), and the re-alignment of Bayview Avenue and other infrastructure under the landform.
3) Schedule calls for completion of design work by early 2006, with construction to begin in Spring/Summer 2006. And full construction of all works is to be completed by mid-2007. TRCA Team
• Project Manager: Adele Freeman • Project Coordinator: Kenneth Dion • Ecological Advisor: Deborah Martin-Downs
Toronto and Region Conservation 5 Shoreham Drive Downsview, Ontario, M3N 1S4 Tel: 416 • 661• 6600 ext. 5230 Fax: 416 • 667 • 6278 Email: [email protected] Consulting Team
• Gartner Lee and SENES Management Team in association with: Four Functional Groups – Aquafor Beech Ltd. • Project Management –Baird – Leader: Paul Murray – DCS • Environmental Planning – Leader: Don Gorber –EarthTech • Environment and Naturalization – Schollen & Company – Leader: Dale Leadbeater – Unterman McPhail • Functional Design – Archaeological Services – Leader: Dave Maunder Inc.
Public consultation for the EA Terms of Reference (ToR) will be lead by Nicole Swerhun with support from TRCA staff Project Schedule
9-18 Months
1 – 5 Years Purpose and Requirements of an EA Terms of Reference
• A Terms of Reference (ToR) is the first step of a two step Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) approval process for proposed undertakings in the Province of Ontario.
• The ToR sets out the proponent’s work plan for addressing the second step of the EAA approvals process: preparation and review of the Environmental Assessment (EA).
• The ToR provides the framework that the Ministry of Environment will use for the evaluation of the EA.
• Allows interested parties to understand their involvement in the process. General Content of an EA Terms of Reference
• In general, a ToR should 1. Identify the purpose of the proposed undertaking 2. Provide a general description of the proposed undertaking 3. Provide a general description of the environment that may be potentially affected by the project 4. Outline the alternatives that will be considered in the EA 5. Identify how alternatives will be evaluated and how a preferred chosen 6. Describe the consultation that will take place during preparation of the EA 7. Outline other approvals that may be required and the proposed schedule
• Consultation between the proponent and interested parties is required as part of preparing a ToR Consultation Plan
• Consultation opportunities for the project will be provided through the following media:
1. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) 2. Community Liaison Committee (CLC) 3. Public Forums (PF) and Working Sessions (WS) 4. Project Newsletters, Flyer Mail-outs & Website Updates 5. Newspaper Advertisements and Articles 6. Technical Design Workshop (As required) Stage 1 – Proposed Consultation Framework
• Study Objectives • Proposed Undertaking • Draft Terms of Reference • Study Areas • Scope of Studies • Alternatives Framework • Description of Environment • Consultation • Evaluation Criteria • Alternatives To and Alternative Methods • Consultation Plan Role of the CLC
• The purpose of this appointed committee is to help obtain input from community residents, groups, associations and organizations representatives on all aspects of the project including:
– Project Objectives – Alternatives, – Evaluation Framework, – Input on the Public Consultation Materials, – Feedback on Design Issues, and; – Structuring the Public Forums.
• (3) CLC meetings to develop ToR with additional 6-8 during the EA Public Forums (PF)
• PF will be the primary method of engaging the general public • The format for the PF’s is proposed as follows: 1) Open House Session 2) Formal Presentation 3) Discussions
• Option: CLC members participate in each break out group to facilitate discussion • TRCA proposes Public Working Sessions (WS) during the ToR stage as follows: Working Session #1 – Issues/Studies Working Session #2 – Alternatives Working Session #3 – Evaluation and Consultation The Goal of the Don Mouth Naturalization is:
To establish the form, features, and function of a natural river mouth within the context of an urban environment. Rouge River Mouth Duffins Creek Mouth Carruthers Creek Mouth The Humber River Mouth The Don River Mouth circa 1800 The Don River Mouth - present River
Bay/Estuary
Lake Objectives of the Proposed Undertaking
Naturalization of Don River Mouth
Flood Protection
Operational management of the river. (sediment, debris and ice management)
Integrate existing infrastructure functions that could not be reasonably moved. (including road, rails, utilities, trails, and power)
Support additional compatible recreational, cultural, and heritage opportunities
Coordinate with other planning efforts for the revitalization of the waterfront and associated certain and reasonably foreseeable infrastructure 1. Do Nothing Alternatives To
2. River/Estuary with discharge to the inner harbour
3. River/Estuary with discharge through the Port Lands
4. Combination of Discharge Point (Primary and Regional flood Overflow) Alternatives Methods (Design Alternatives)
The alternative methods will be based on the ‘Alternatives to’ with the addition of flood control, channel design,operational management, infrastructure considerations, pathway linkages and naturalization components. Study Areas
• Study Area for the Naturalization Alternatives
• Flood Protection Areas
• Local Study Area Naturalization Study Area Flood Protection Study Area Local Study Area Other Considerations
• Soil Remediation
• Storm Water Management
• Climate Change
• West Nile Virus