NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION Please be advised that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), on behalf of the City of Toronto, is preparing to undertake the first phase of emergency works to protect public safety and municipal infrastructure in Wilket Creek Park against the hazards of stream erosion. Phase I of the emergency works involves encasing an existing sanitary sewer in concrete prior to stabilizing and restoring the watercourse, which is scheduled to be done later in the year as Phase II of the emergency works. The general location of the work site is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Approximate location of sanitary sewer encasement work (circled in red). The encasement work is tentatively scheduled to commence the week of April 26th, 2011 and is anticipated to be completed by May 16th, 2011. To protect public safety, the section of trail within the limits of construction will be closed for the duration of the work; signage will be installed at both the north and south limits of the trail to advise the public of this interruption. For more information on the project please contact: Moranne McDonnell, Senior Manager • Environmental Engineering Projects • Toronto and Region Conservation Authority • Phone: (416) 392-9725 • Email: [email protected] NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT & PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE WILKET CREEK CHANNEL WITHIN WILKET CREEK PARK REHABILITATION STUDY TO ADDRESS EROSION HAZARDS THREATENING INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMORPHIC SYSTEMS & HABITAT STUDY Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), on behalf of the City of Toronto, has initiated a study to assess the geomorphic systems and habitat of the Wilket Creek subwatershed in developing a long-term strategy to address ongoing hazards to municipal lands and infrastructure within Wilket Creek Park as a result of stream erosion. The study is being completed as a Schedule B Master Plan of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. Consultation with the public and government agencies will occur during each phase of the project in the form of Notices and Public Information Centres. If you are interested in finding out more information about the study and/or would like to be added to the project mailing list, please contact: Patricia Newland, Project Manager Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 1 Eastville Avenue, Toronto, ON M1M 2N5 Tel: (416)392-9690 Email: [email protected] It is noted that during initial field investigations, three (3) priority areas were identified within Wilket Creek Park as requiring urgent repairs where erosion has exposed the existing sanitary sewer. Emergency repairs are proposed to be carried out over the next several months at these priority areas, to ensure the protection of municipal infrastructure while the overall strategy is being developed. A Public Information Centre (Open House) to present the objectives of the study and the proposed designs for the emergency works at the first two priority sites in Wilket Creek Park is scheduled for: June 29, 2011 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunnybrook Park Pavilion 1132 Leslie Street, Toronto Wilket Creek Channel within Wilket Creek Park Rehabilitation Study to Address Erosion Hazards Threatening Infrastructure, and Geomorphic Systems and Habitat Study Creating a long-term plan for the management of Wilket Creek The Wilket Creek (within Wilket Creek Park) Rehabilitation Study to Address Erosion Hazards Threatening Infrastructure and Geomorphic Systems and Habitat Study is being undertaken by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), on behalf of the City of Toronto. The aim of the project is to develop a long-term management plan for Wilket Creek that takes account of natural processes, wildlife habitat and public amenities. In particular, the project will protect infrastructure at risk of erosion, including exposed manholes, pedestrian bridges and pathways while working with natural channel processes. Why are we developing a Master Plan? As a result of numerous significant storm events from May 2000 to June 2008, including the August 19th 2005 storm event, a tremendous amount of damage has occurred in the Wilket Creek tributary of the Don River Watershed, most notably within Edwards Gardens and Wilket Creek Park. After the August 19th, 2005 storm event the City of Toronto undertook a detailed inventory of the damage caused as a result of the storm, and identified 26 key areas of concern, for damaged and “at risk” infrastructure including, pedestrian bridges, pathways, manholes, and sanitary sewers within Edwards Gardens and Wilket Creek Park. In response to the findings of the inventory, the City of Toronto requested that TRCA assist in developing and implementing temporary repair works to ensure state-of-good-repairs, while working on obtaining approval and funding from City Council to commence a large scale study to aid in the development of a Master Plan for the Wilket Creek subwatershed. Subsequent repeated damage to several of the areas addressed by the state-of-good-repair works confirmed the requirement for a greater understanding of the natural forces taking place within the watercourse. Geomorphology is the study of natural landforms and how they are shaped by natural processes. The Geomorphic & Habitat Systems Master Plan will develop an understanding of the processes operating within Wilket Creek, together with how they are being influenced by channel modifications, such as structures and changes to the creek itself. Based on an understanding of how the creek is behaving, we will be able to identify a long-term integrated plan to address the current erosion issues, as well as identifying opportunities for in-stream habitat improved. What is the process? The process of completing a large-scale study of this nature falls under the planning and approvals of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of the Act is to ensure that possible environmental affects of a project are considered early in the planning stages and to select a preferred alternative that seeks to avoid or mitigate adverse effects to the environment. The broad definition of “environment” as defined in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act includes ecosystems, people and their communities, natural and physical resources, and social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment. The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act identifies two types of planning and design processes under which Environmental Assessments (EAs) are carried out: Individual Environmental Assessments (Individual EAs) Class Environmental Assessments (Class EAs) Individual EAs are typically carried out for the large-scale complex undertakings with a potential for significant environmental effects and major public interest. Class EAs on the other hand fall into a category knows as Streamlined Environmental Assessments for generally routine activities that have a predictable range of solutions and environmental effects that can be readily managed (MOE, June 13, 2011). Projects undertaken by Municipalities vary in terms of potential environmental impacts. In the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA), projects are broken down by schedule as follows: Schedule A - projects are limited in scale and have minimal adverse environmental impacts; generally these projects are related to routine maintenance and operational activities. Schedule A projects are pre-approved and may proceed to implementation without following the full Class EA process. Schedule B – projects have the potential to cause some adverse environmental impacts. The proponent is require to undertake a screening process which includes mandatory consultation with the public and review agencies to ensure that they are aware of the project, and that any concerns raised have been addressed. When there are no outstanding concerns, the project can proceed to implementation. Schedule B projects require that the once finalized, a project file be created that is accessible to the public and relevant review agencies. Schedule C – projects have the potential for significant adverse environmental impacts and must proceed under the full planning and design process of the Class EA document. Schedule C project require that an Environmental Study Report be completed and filed for review by the public and relevant review agencies. Master Plans - in addition to identifying project level works, the Class EA also recognizes the need to begin the planning process by considering a group of related projects or an entire system. In this case the system under consideration is Wilket Creek subwatershed. By planning in this way, the need and justification for individual projects and the associated broader context are better defined. Master Plans are long range plans which integrate infrastructure requirements for existing and future land use with environmental assessment planning principals. These plans examine an infrastructure system, or group of related projects in order to outline a framework for planning for subsequent projects and or developments. What will be the outcomes? The Master Plan will identify works to be completed along the length of Wilket Creek in order to address the stability and habitat issues that are identified. We do not anticipate that works will be required throughout the whole creek but rather at selected locations, in particular within Wilket Creek Park (see map on page 3). Although the works themselves will be localised, they will be planned within the context of the whole creek and with a long-term vision. Different alternative solutions