The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has released its Sydenham River Slope Stabilization Project File Report for public review, with comments accepted until Nov. 20.
The report is available from Oct. 21 to Nov. 20 at letstalkchatham-kent.ca/margaret-ave. Residents can also view a copy in person at the Wallaceburg Municipal Centre at 786 Dufferin Ave., Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Comments can be sent to ckinfo@chatham-kent.ca by Nov. 20.
The municipality began a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment to address erosion and slope instability along the north bank of the East Sydenham River, at approximately 320 Margaret Ave. in Wallaceburg. It says the erosion is threatening a stormwater pump station and causing the loss of vegetation and tableland along the riverbank.
The study evaluated a range of alternatives, including doing nothing, a planted slope, a crib wall, an armourstone retaining wall, a mechanically stabilized earth slope, a sheet pile wall and relocating the pump station. The preferred strategy is a vegetated riverstone treatment of the riverbank. A public information centre was held in Wallaceburg on Oct. 10, 2024.
During the review period, a request can be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study or for conditions to be imposed. The municipality says such requests can only be made on the grounds that the order could prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.
