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One River Environmental Assessment Stage 2 PIC

Welcome!

getinvolved.london.ca/OneRiver

One River Environmental Assessment

Welcome to the One River Environmental Assessment Stage 2

Public Information Centre No. 2

Please explore the presentation area to learn about the study process and the preferred alternatives for the Thames

River in the City of London.The purpose of this Public Information

Centre is to get feedback on the preferred alternatives. We look forward to hearing

your questions and comments.


The Environmental Assessment Process

The environmental assessment (EA) process ensures that governments

and public bodies consider potential environmental effects before an

infrastructure project begins.

• System-wide approach to environmental planning

• Consideration of potential environmental and social/cultural impacts and mitigation

• Public consultation• Integration with other

planning initiatives

Key Features of a Master Plan EA Include:


One River EA ApproachComprehensive List of Opportunities and Constraints for Alternatives for

Springbank Dam

Common Evaluation Criteria Developed and Defined

Evaluation Based on Technical, Environmental, Social/Cultural and Economic Criteria

Preferred Alternative for Dam: Free Flowing River (Decommission the Dam)

Data Compilation and Consultation

Consultation

Consultation and Evaluation

Confirm Comprehensive List of Opportunities and Constraints

Class EA: River Management Alternatives

Schedule B EA: Forks of the Thames

Alternatives

Schedule B EA: Dam Decommissioning

Alternatives

Evaluation Criteria Developed and Defined for Each Component

Evaluation Based on Technical, Environmental, Social/Cultural and Economic Criteria for Each Component

Consultation and Agreement on Initial Three

Alternative Approach

Consultation

Additional Data Gathering and Compilation

Consultation and Evaluation

Alternative 1: Do Nothing

Alternative 3: Reinstate the Dam

Alternative 2: Free-Flowing River

Stage 1 Master Plan EA

A B C A B CA B CConsultation

Preferred Alternative(s) for

River Management

Preferred Alternative for Dam

Decommissioning

Preferred Alternative for Forks of the

Thames

Stage 2 Master Plan EA

Implementation ORSchedule B EAs as

required

Implementation through to Design &

Construction

Implementation through to

Design & Construction

Potential Next Steps Following the Completion

of One River EA

We Are Here


One River EA Stage 2 Process

• Identify needs• Define the Problem or Opportunity• Initiate Consultation

Including:• Background Environmental Report• Archaeological and Built Heritage Report• Natural Heritage Assessment Report• River Geomorphology Characterization• Environmental Impact Study• Fisheries Sampling and Aquatic Habitat Report

• Identify alternative solutions• Identify potential environmental impacts• Outline mitigation measures• Evaluate alternative solutions

EA P

roce

ss

Phas

e 1

Recommend Preferred Alternatives

• Identification of the preferred alternative including general costs and implementation plans

• Identification of long-term monitoring and recommendations

• Public consultation regarding the preferred alternative

Environmental Assessment Report• Prepare Environmental Report• Notice of Completion• 30-Day public review period• Completion of EA Project File

One

Riv

er E

A St

age

2

EA P

roce

ss

Phas

e 2Problem Definition

Inventory Natural & Social Environment

Develop & Assess Alternatives

We Are Here


Problem/Opportunity Statement

This river is both our inheritance and our living legacy. It is our collective responsibility to maintain and enhance this shared natural, cultural recreational and aesthetic resource. The One River Master Plan

Environmental Assessment will consider the area historically influenced by the Springbank Dam and will provide a plan that coordinates critical

infrastructure projects in ways that improve the overall health of the river, identifies and creates an understanding of potential impacts these projects may have on downstream communities, species at risk and/or endangered species and where possible avoids them and respects the vision of Back to

the River’s “The Ribbon of the Thames” concept plan. This study, in the context of many other ongoing initiatives, will preserve for future

generations this valuable resource and allow people of all abilities to enjoy and access this designated Canadian Heritage River.”

“The river that flows through London’s downtown has many names:

Deshkan Ziibiing (known to the Anishnaabeg and Lenape of the Great Lakes); Kahwyˆhatati (ONYOTA:KA); and, The Thames (John Graves Simcoe).

Blackfriars Street

Dufferin Avenue

HighStreet

Central Avenue

Berkshire Drive

Sarnia Road

Grand Avenue

Wortley Road

Boler Road

SanatoriumRoad

Colborne Street

Ridout StreetNor th

Southcrest Drive

Wha rncl iff e Ro adN or th

Richmond Street

Horton Street East

Aldersbrook Road

Emery Street West

Ridout Street South

Andover Dri ve

Springbank Drive

Woodward Avenue

BeachwoodAvenue

Oxford Street East

Oxford Street West

Stanley Street

Queens Avenue

North Street

Rose

cliffe

Terrace

Valetta Street

Wharncliffe Road South

Byron Baseline Road

York Street

Visco

unt R

oad

Wonderland Road North

Grey Street

Baseline Road East

Hyde Park Road

Beaverbrook Avenue

Riverside Drive

Commissioners Road West

King StreetDundas Street

Commissioners Road East

Wonderland Road South

Kingsway Avenue

Upper Queen Street

Colonel TalbotRoad

Horton Street West

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Fig u re 1O n e R i v e r S t u d y A re aO n e R i v e rC ity o f L o n d o nL o n d o n , O n ta r io

LEGEND

Forks of the Thames Schedule B EA Study Area

Dam Decommissioning Schedule B EA Study Area

River Management Strategies Master Plan EA Study Area

$

DRAFT

0 150 30075

Metres

Dam Decommissioning Schedule B EA Study Area

River Management Strategies Master Plan EA Study Area

Forks of the Thames Schedule B EA Study Area

Notes:1. Aerial Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe,GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS UserCommunity


Thames River Status and Vision

• The Springbank Dam is not operating and the river is flowing freely.

• The river is changing, with more diverse habitat available for both native and non-native plant species and the Species at Risk (SAR) present.

• The Thames Valley Corridor Plan and The London Plan both promote the enhancement of the River Corridor as an important resource in the city.

• Back to the River was a design competition initiative to revitalize the Thames River.


Stage 1 Summary and Outcome

Stage 1 of the One River EA focused on making a decision on the future role of the Springbank Dam.

Three alternatives were considered for the Dam:1. Do Nothing: Dam maintained in current condition.2. Free Flowing River: Full or partial removal of the dam.3. Reinstate the Dam: Repair or reconstruct dam.

Free Flowing River was the preferred alternative selected for the Springbank dam in January 2018.

The preferred alternative was selected through an evaluation of each alternative on the basis of social/cultural,

environmental, technical and economic impacts and endorsed by Council.


Purpose of Stage 2The Purpose of Stage 2 is to develop a unified One River Strategy.

Stage 2 includes three components:• Springbank Dam Decommissioning• Fork of the Thames• River Management Plan

The preferred alternative for each component will be selected based on Environmental, Social & Cultural, Technical, and Economical criteria.


Stage 2 Communication Activities

Project NoticesNotice to announce Stage 2 of the One River EA was published in The Londoner on May 3 & May 10. The notice for this PIC was published in The Londoner on August 30 & September 6, and London Free Press on August 25.

Webpage and SurveyProject information and resources are available at getinvolved.London.ca website. Information is being collected via online survey about London residents’ ideas and wishes for river.

Stakeholder MeetingsThe project team has continuously met with local stakeholders including community associations and recreational groups to better understand their vision for the river moving forward.

MediaLocal news media coverage raised awareness of the One River Master Plan EA in Stage 1 and has continued into Stage 2.

Public Information CentreThis event is being held to offer information to the public and give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the presented preferred alternatives.

First Nations EngagementThe project team has facilitated engagement with First Nations on the study process and objectives for Stage 2.

Agency ConsiderationThe project team has consulted with relevant regulatory agencies including the Upper Thames Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Parks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry throughout the project on potential permitting requirements for the alternatives.


Stage 2 Springbank Dam Decommissioning Alternatives

Alternative 1: Do Nothing• Dam maintained in current

condition• Preventative rehabilitation

program and safety inspection

Alternative 2: Partial Dam Removal

• Remove or salvage parts such as hydraulics, gates, control room, etc.

• Stabilize structure and restore riverbank with habitat improvements

• Preventative rehabilitation program and safety inspection

Alternative 3: Full Dam Removal• Remove all components and

structures, including erosion control works

• Riverbank and riverbed would be fully restored with habitat improvements


Forks of the ThamesAlternatives*

Four Ribbon AlternativesAlternative 1: Walkway Supported by

Piers in the ThamesAlternative 2: Suspended Walkway

Alternative 3: Kensington Bridge Extension and Lookout Alternative 4: Land Based Walkway

Alternative 1: Hardscape Alternative 2: Softscape

Two Terracing Alternatives

* Do Nothing alternative was also considered as part of this evaluation.


Stage 2 Alternatives Preliminary Scoring Summary

Natural Environment

Social/ Cultural

Technical & Economic

Average

Springbank Dam

Alternative 1: Do Nothing 2.8 3.0 4.3 3.4

Alternative 2: Partial Dam Removal 3.7 4.1 4.2 4.0

Alternative 3: Full Dam Removal 4.8 3.9 2.7 3.8

Forks of the Thames

Do Nothing 2.7 2.3 3.7 2.9

Ribbon

Alternative 1: Walkway Supported by Piers in the Thames 1.7 3.6 2.0 2.4

Alternative 2: Suspended Walkway 2.7 4.0 2.7 3.1

Alternative 3: Kensington Bridge Extension and Lookout 3.0 2.9 2.2 2.7

Alternative 4: Land Based Walkway 2.7 3.1 2.8 2.9

Terraces

Alternative 1: Hardscape 2.0 4.1 2.3 2.8

Alternative 2: Softscape 3.2 4.0 3.1 3.4

River Management Plan

Alternative 1: Existing Conditions 2.7 1.9 2.9 2.5

Alternative 2: Naturalized River Corridor 4.5 3.1 3.4 3.7

Alternative 3: Strategic Access and Use in the River Corridor 3.8 4.3 3.4 3.8

Alternative 4: Enhanced Active Use and Access to the River Corridor 2.2 4.4 2.9 3.1


Preferred Springbank Dam Alternative

The preferred alternative for the decommissioning of the Springbank Dam is Partial Removal.

• Improves habitat by restoring the south shoreline with vegetation and removing the gates from the riverbed.

• Partial removal of the Dam also allows for the potential of repurposing the structure for public use.

• Estimated cost is between $1 million and $4 million.

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