Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project Comprehensive Study Report Prepared for: Environment Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Transport Canada Hamilton Port Authority Prepared by: The Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project Technical Task Group AECOM October 30, 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project Technical Task Group Members: Roger Santiago, Environment Canada Erin Hartman, Environment Canada Rupert Joyner, Environment Canada Sue-Jin An, Environment Canada Matt Graham, Environment Canada Cheriene Vieira, Ontario Ministry of Environment Ron Hewitt, Public Works and Government Services Canada Bill Fitzgerald, Hamilton Port Authority The Technical Task Group gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following parties in the preparation and completion of this document: Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Hamilton Port Authority, Health Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ontario Ministry of Environment, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Agency, D.C. Damman and Associates, City of Hamilton, U.S. Steel Canada, National Water Research Institute, AECOM, ARCADIS, Acres & Associated Environmental Limited, Headwater Environmental Services Corporation, Project Advisory Group, Project Implementation Team, Bay Area Restoration Council, Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan Office, Hamilton Conservation Authority, Royal Botanical Gardens and Halton Region Conservation Authority. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. xi COMMON TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... xxii 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Projection Location ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Need for and Purpose of the Project ........................................................................................ 4 1.3.1 Need for the Project ....................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Purpose of the Project ................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Project Overview ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.5 Project Background .................................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Hamilton Harbour Priority Sediment Sites ............................................................................ 8 1.7 Canada – Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin and Hamilton Harbour RAP............................................................................................................. 9 1.8 Contaminants of Concern ........................................................................................................ 10 1.9 Project Funding 13 1.10 Project Schedule ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.0 APPROACH TO DECISION-MAKING .......................................................................................... 16 2.1 The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act .................................................................... 16 2.2 The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act ....................................................................... 18 2.3 Other Applicable Government Legislation and Regulations ............................................. 18 2.4 Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project Study Process ................................................ 18 2.5 Project Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................... 21 2.6 Design Standards and Requirements .................................................................................... 22 3.0 SCOPE OF PROJECT AND SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT ................................................................ 23 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 23 3.2 Scope of Project ......................................................................................................................... 23 3.3 Factors to be Considered ......................................................................................................... 25 3.4 Scope of Factors to be Considered ......................................................................................... 26 3.4.1 Scope of Environmental Factors to be Considered ................................................. 26 3.4.2 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries ............................................................................. 28 3.4.3 Alternatives to the Project .......................................................................................... 28 3.4.4 Alternative Means of Carrying Out the Project ....................................................... 28 3.4.5 Risk Assessment .......................................................................................................... 28 3.4.6 Environmental Enhancement Opportunities ........................................................... 29 3.4.7 Monitoring and Follow-up ......................................................................................... 29 3.4.8 Public, Agency and Aboriginal Engagement and Consultation ........................... 29 4.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ............................................................................ 30 4.1 Physical ......................................................................................................................... 30 4.1.1 Surface Water Quality ................................................................................................. 30 4.1.2 Wave Activity, Currents and Circulation ................................................................ 30 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project October 30, 2012 Comprehensive Study Report Page i 4.1.3 Ground Water Quality and Movement .................................................................... 37 4.1.4 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 42 4.1.5 Climate ......................................................................................................................... 47 4.1.6 Seismic Activity ........................................................................................................... 48 4.1.7 Subsurface Conditions/Stratigraphy........................................................................ 49 4.1.8 Sediment Contamination ............................................................................................ 55 4.2 Natural Environment ............................................................................................................... 60 4.2.1 Fish and Fish Habitat .................................................................................................. 60 4.2.2 Aquatic Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 62 4.2.3 Benthic Invertebrates................................................................................................... 62 4.2.4 Terrestrial Environment ............................................................................................. 63 4.2.5 Species at Risk .............................................................................................................. 64 4.3 Social and Land Use ................................................................................................................. 64 4.3.1 Land Use ....................................................................................................................... 64 4.3.2 Water Resource Use .................................................................................................... 65 5.0 REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT ....................................................................... 66 5.1 Sediment Removal and Sediment Containment Alternatives ........................................... 66 5.1.1 Description of Alternatives ........................................................................................ 66 5.1.2 Evaluation of Alternatives .......................................................................................... 69 5.1.3 Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 69 6.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN STUDY FOR THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ............................. 79 6.1 Introduction 79 6.2 Conceptual Design Evaluation ............................................................................................... 79 6.3 The Preferred Conceptual Design .......................................................................................... 84 7.0 IDENTIFICATION