Public Notice

East Wharf Shoreline Deck and Stabilization Project – Public Comments Invited

March 7^th, 2025 – The National Capital Commission must determine whether the proposed East Wharf Shoreline Deck and Stabilization Project, located in Ottawa, Ontario is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects in compliance with sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act and the National Capital Act.

To help inform this determination, the National Capital Commission is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. It is important to note that all comments received will be considered public. For more information, individual should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments for this project must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this posting, referencing project name and registry number:

By email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca

 

By mail: Environmental Officer, Environmental Assessment group

40 Elgin, 5^th floor

Ottawa, ON, Canada

K1P 1C7

 

The National Capital Commission thanks you for your comments, which will be considered in the project determination. Please note that responses may not be provided.

 

 

For National Capital Commission general inquiries, please contact:

Email: info@ncc-ccn.ca

Telephone: 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free)

TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free)

www.ncc-ccn.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is planning to implement a shoreline access project just east of the mouth of the Rideau Canal, along the Ottawa River shoreline below Major's Hill Park. This location presents an opportunity for the establishment of an additional shoreline node. Referred to as East Wharf, this highly-visible site is located adjacent to the entrance locks of the Rideau Canal – a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, Canadian Heritage River and National Historic Site of Canada, and is located across from Parliament Hill.

The goal of the project is to design and implement a shoreline feature on NCC lands, consisting of a multi-level elevated deck stepping down to the water. The deck measures approximately 15 meters long by 11 meters wide and is made of wood. The structure is supported by cement foundations and a steel frame structure. The installation will allow for greater public use of the site by encouraging a diversity of passive and active uses, including fishing, social gathering, and enjoyment of scenic views.

Components are summarized as follows:

• Installation of a multi-level deck system leading down to the water, with broad platforms for users to sit or gather and stairs to facilitate passage between the platforms;
• Repairs and a minor realignment of a segment of the adjacent multi-use pathway;
• Rehabilitation of an eroded section of shoreline adjacent to the platform using riprap;

Construction Stages

• Installation of sediment and erosion control measures;
• Installation of the substructure foundation and deck surface;
• Demolition and excavation of a section of the existing pathway adjacent to the deck;
• Rehabilitation of the slope using rip rap;
• Repaving of the realigned pathway;

Site Restoration:

• Topsoil placement and seeding;
• Planting of vegetation;

Construction is planned to commence in the spring of 2025 and is to be completed by the end of the summer of 2025.

Coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is required as DFO may issue a letter of advice under the Fisheries Act for planned work in fish habitat.