Rose Beach Line Slope Stability Environmental Assessment

Introduction

In early 2017, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (the Municipality) completed a Slope Stability Report (AECOM) that documented existing conditions along Rose Beach Line immediately northeast of Big Creek (see map) and reviewed potential solutions to address road stability risk. The report identified the need for a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study to evaluate in detail different solutions to the problem in consultation with the community, review agencies, stakeholders and Indigenous Communities.


The Municipality has accordingly completed this Municipal Class EA Study that identifies a preferred strategy to address slope stability issues along Rose Beach Line where it maintains municipal water and wastewater infrastructure (as identified in this study) that are susceptible to being damaged by slope failure. It does not address slope stability along other parts of Rose Beach Line or on private property.


Background

The study area is located in the Southeast part of Chatham-Kent and roughly bounded by Kent Bridge Rd to the Southwest, New Scotland Line to the Northwest, Hill Rd to the Northeast and Lake Erie to the Southeast. The study area captures the area of slope instability and any roads that may be affected by the alternative solutions being evaluated.


The roadway, at the site of slope instability within the study area is a typical two-lane asphalt rural road with an approximately 6.3 m wide cross section, and sits adjacent to the top of a Lake Erie Bluff. The bluff is experiencing degradation and erosion, as seen by the exposure of tree roots and slumping along the slope, to a degree that if left unmitigated is likely to cause adverse impacts to Rose Beach Line and the infrastructure underneath. In some areas, large irregular concrete blocks have been placed at the toe of the slope in an effort to slow the erosion of the toe.


As a result of the final April 2020 Lake Erie Shoreline Study recommendations, the previously recommended alternative for the Rose Beach Line EA is no longer feasible and new alternatives must be identified and evaluated. These new alternatives take the Shoreline Study Retreat Approach recommendations into consideration.


The study determined that Rose Beach Line should be closed to traffic between Antrim Road and just west of Wildwood on the Lake. To ensure access is provided to local residents for as long as possible, an approximately 4m wide asphalt driveway would extend from the existing Rose Beach Line roadway behind all the properties with residences. To accommodate increased traffic due to this closure New Scotland Line would be upgraded between Kent Bridge Road and Hill Road to a paved two-lane rural collector road with drainage ditches.

A Project File Report has been prepared and a copy will be placed on public record on March 25th, 2021 for thirty (30) calendar days to be reviewed by members of the public and/or any other interested parties.

Introduction

In early 2017, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (the Municipality) completed a Slope Stability Report (AECOM) that documented existing conditions along Rose Beach Line immediately northeast of Big Creek (see map) and reviewed potential solutions to address road stability risk. The report identified the need for a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study to evaluate in detail different solutions to the problem in consultation with the community, review agencies, stakeholders and Indigenous Communities.


The Municipality has accordingly completed this Municipal Class EA Study that identifies a preferred strategy to address slope stability issues along Rose Beach Line where it maintains municipal water and wastewater infrastructure (as identified in this study) that are susceptible to being damaged by slope failure. It does not address slope stability along other parts of Rose Beach Line or on private property.


Background

The study area is located in the Southeast part of Chatham-Kent and roughly bounded by Kent Bridge Rd to the Southwest, New Scotland Line to the Northwest, Hill Rd to the Northeast and Lake Erie to the Southeast. The study area captures the area of slope instability and any roads that may be affected by the alternative solutions being evaluated.


The roadway, at the site of slope instability within the study area is a typical two-lane asphalt rural road with an approximately 6.3 m wide cross section, and sits adjacent to the top of a Lake Erie Bluff. The bluff is experiencing degradation and erosion, as seen by the exposure of tree roots and slumping along the slope, to a degree that if left unmitigated is likely to cause adverse impacts to Rose Beach Line and the infrastructure underneath. In some areas, large irregular concrete blocks have been placed at the toe of the slope in an effort to slow the erosion of the toe.


As a result of the final April 2020 Lake Erie Shoreline Study recommendations, the previously recommended alternative for the Rose Beach Line EA is no longer feasible and new alternatives must be identified and evaluated. These new alternatives take the Shoreline Study Retreat Approach recommendations into consideration.


The study determined that Rose Beach Line should be closed to traffic between Antrim Road and just west of Wildwood on the Lake. To ensure access is provided to local residents for as long as possible, an approximately 4m wide asphalt driveway would extend from the existing Rose Beach Line roadway behind all the properties with residences. To accommodate increased traffic due to this closure New Scotland Line would be upgraded between Kent Bridge Road and Hill Road to a paved two-lane rural collector road with drainage ditches.

A Project File Report has been prepared and a copy will be placed on public record on March 25th, 2021 for thirty (30) calendar days to be reviewed by members of the public and/or any other interested parties.

Page last updated: 15 Mar 2021, 11:06 AM