Public Notice

Water Control Infrastructure and Dike Repair and Maintenance Part I – St. Clair National Wildlife Area

 

August 10, 2023 – The authority must determine whether the proposed Water Control Infrastructure and Dike Repair and Maintenance, located in St. Clair National Wildlife Area is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the authority is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by September 11, 2023 to:

 

John Viengkone

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service

4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON M3H 5T4

416-884-5148

John.Viengkone@ec.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

 

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is proposing to undertake maintenance and repair activities to improve the dike infrastructure within the St. Clair National Wildlife Area, located in Pain Court, Ontario. These dikes are crucial to controlling the water levels within the National Wildlife Area. They also help mitigate the risk of flooding and improve wildlife habitat. Proper functioning of this infrastructure is necessary to ensure the effective management of the area for wildlife, their habitats, federal infrastructure, and public visitor access.

DUC will complete dike grading along approximately 2.8km of dyke top in the Bear Creek Unit and 4km in the St. Clair Unit. Using heavy machinery, ruts and holes will be filled in to create a more level dyke top. DUC will also use heavy machinery to repair and replace the existing pump station debris screens in the St. Clair Unit.

An inspection in 2022, determined the existing two pump stations were rusted and in need repair. The McFarlane Relief Drain Pump will have the existing screw gate repaired. The Lakeside Pump station will have both the debris screen and fence replaced. These works will be completed with the use of a cofferdam to isolate the work area. Turbidity curtains will be deployed to reduce sedimentation and section off the work area.

The proposed work will be completed during in the fall to winter within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans species at risk timing windows. Prior to any work commencing the areas will be searched by qualified individuals to remove any wildlife. Exposed soil and excavated material will be re-graded, stabilized and/or re-seeded using appropriate native plants, soils, seed mix and seed application at the completion of construction. Sediment and erosion control will be used where necessary.