| July 13, 2009 | Slide 1

Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal FacilityFacility

Presentation to Council

July 13th, 2009

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 2

Salt Management Plan – Why?Salt Management Plan – Why?

• Late 90’s Environment Canada became concerned with the environmental effects of road salt

• A comprehensive assessment concluded that excessive use of road salts was causing environmental damage

• Also recognized that salt is critical to winter safety

• Canadian Transportation sector worked with Environment Canada to develop a Canadian strategy to manage road salts

• The strategy was published as Environment Canada’s Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (2004)

• Canadian Transportation Agencies are committed to complying with this Code of Practice and developing Salt Management Plans

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 3

Salt Management Plan – Key Areas of Salt Management Plan – Key Areas of Concern?Concern?

• Excessive salt use on roads and sidewalks

• Particular concern around salt vulnerable areas

• Snow storage and disposal areas

• Storage and handling areas such as maintenance yards

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 4

Salt Management Plan – Why & How?Salt Management Plan – Why & How?

• GOAL - To maintain safe winter travel while reducing the negative environmental effects of road salt.

• Comprehensive review of the City’s Winter Maintenance Program – identified areas needing improvement

• Establishes a multi-year plan to improve salt management – some improvement already made.

• Consistent with Environment Canada’s Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (2004)

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 5

Salt Management Plan – Key FindingsSalt Management Plan – Key Findings

• The City’s Winter Program is good with some key areas for improvement

• Staff already working on many improvements

• Key areas for improvement are:

Level of Service Policy – Sidewalks

Increase use of pre-wetting

Fine-tune application rates for salt and sand/salt mix

Increase use of pavement temperatures in decision-making

Improve training & record-keeping

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 6

Salt Management Plan – Two Major AreasSalt Management Plan – Two Major Areas

1. Upgrade Maintenance Yard

Material Storage

Drainage and washwater management

Good Housekeeping Practices

Equipment Loading

Site Logistics

2. Review Snow Disposal Site

Location – good and bad

Capacity concerns

Access

Drainage and meltwater management

Aesthetics

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 7

SNOW DISPOSAL FACILTY (SDF) – EA STUDYSNOW DISPOSAL FACILTY (SDF) – EA STUDY

• City undertook a Class EA Study to review the future status of the existing snow disposal facility on Water Street West.

• The study included:

A review of possible upgrading of the existing site.

A review of potential new snow disposal site.

Consideration of alternative technologies

• Followed Municipal Class EA Process, Schedule B

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 8

Issues With Existing Disposal SiteIssues With Existing Disposal Site

Located on the City’s waterfront

May conflict with waterfront development plans

Does not include specific meltwater treatment

Discharges directly to the St. Lawrence River

One-lane bridge access deteriorating and a bottle neck

Site owned by Transport Canada

Limited capacity – Expansion opportunities restricted

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 9

SDF – CLASS EA / SITE SELECTION PROCESSSDF – CLASS EA / SITE SELECTION PROCESS

• Start-up Notification (newspaper ads, contacted external agencies)

• Identified Potential Alternative Site Areas (see next slide)

• Presented Potential Areas and screening at a Public Information Centre (PIC) - February 18, 2009

• Based on findings of screening and feedback from the PIC, two sites were identified on the short list:

Upgrade the existing site

Relocate to Site Area #7 (located at Virginia Drive)

• Carried out a detailed analysis / evaluation of the short-listed sites.

• Undertook additional consultation with Trans-North Pipelines, MOE, MNR and Conservation Authority.

• Identified Preferred Site Area

• Preparing an EA Project File and will be placing onto the public record later this summer for a 30-day review period

Existing SiteExisting Site

Site Area #7Site Area #7

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 11

SDF – PREFERRED SITESDF – PREFERRED SITE

Potential Site Area #7 is preferred for the following reasons:

• Secures site in City’s ownership

• Still close to the City’s downtown area

• Sufficient capacity for the future

• Greater potential for meltwater and stormwater management

• Provides safe & efficient truck circulation on-site

• Relocates the SDF away from residential houses on Water Street W.

• Allows opportunities for future waterfront redevelopment at the existing site

• Avoids the need to replace the existing bridge crossing over the Old Cornwall Canal for snow disposal operations

• Has a lower construction cost: ~$2.54 million for Potential Site Area #7 ~$2.95 million for upgrading existing site

SDF – PREFERRED SITE – CONCEPT PLANSDF – PREFERRED SITE – CONCEPT PLAN

SITE FEATURESSITE FEATURES- Meltwater Treatment – Vegetative Buffers – Dual Access – Industrial Location- Meltwater Treatment – Vegetative Buffers – Dual Access – Industrial Location

- Acceptable to TNPL and Raisin Region Conservation Authority- Acceptable to TNPL and Raisin Region Conservation Authority

SITE FEATURESSITE FEATURES- Meltwater Treatment – Vegetative Buffers – Dual Access – Industrial Location- Meltwater Treatment – Vegetative Buffers – Dual Access – Industrial Location

- Acceptable to TNPL and Raisin Region Conservation Authority- Acceptable to TNPL and Raisin Region Conservation Authority

| July 13, 2009 | Slide 13

Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal FacilityFacility

Presentation to Council

July 13th, 2009