Thames River Slope Stabilization – Thames Street

Consultation has concluded

The Study

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has initiated a Schedule ‘B’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to address erosion and slope stability issues along the Thames River. Matrix Solutions Inc. has been retained by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to complete the study in compliance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The study area, which encompasses the north bank of the Thames River between Third Street and Fifth Street in Chatham, Ontario, is at risk of failure due to slope instability, erosion of the bank, and failing shoreline protection infrastructure. The bank is a public safety hazard in its present state and requires mitigation. The aim of this project is to determine an appropriate shoreline protection strategy to address the erosion and slope stability concerns, handle stormwater below grade and upon the surface, and limit the extent of the impacted footprint.

The Municipal Class EA evaluated a set of alternatives that included: Do Nothing, Low Sheet Pile Wall Retaining Wall, High Sheet Pile Retaining Wall, and Slope Cutback. Through an evaluation of alternatives considering environmental, social, cultural, technical, and economical criteria, the study identified the preferred alternative solution to be High Sheet Pile Retaining Wall. This alternative involves replacement of the existing shoreline infrastructure with a new sheet pile retaining wall, slope regrading, construction of a new public pathway, and restoration of stable vegetation on the bank.

A key component of the study is consultation with interested stakeholders (public, Indigenous communities, landowners, and agencies). A Public Information Centre was held online on the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent website from September 18, 2023 to November 1, 2023.

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report will be available on public record for a 30 calendar-day public and agency review period from December 14, 2023 to February 1, 2024. An electronic copy of the Project File Report will be accessible online through the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent website (www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca). Interested persons may provide written comments to our project team by February 1, 2024. All comments and concerns should be sent to the project team per the contact details below.

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name.

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request. Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-section-16-order.

The request should be sent in writing or by email to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks per contact details below, and also copied to Curtis Lanoue at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent:

Next Steps

The report will be available for public review until February 1, 2024. Following this, subject to any comments/requests received to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for an order requiring a high level of study through the Class EA process, the municipality intends to initiate detailed design in Spring 2024, with tendering and construction planned for late 2024 / 2025 construction season.