Update: Implementation of small-scale works in Chedoke Creek and Princess Point

HAMILTON, ON – On June 11, 2021, The City received Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) approval for the Chedoke Creek Workplan and Cootes Paradise Report. As part of the approval of the workplan, the City is required to implement short-term direct measures in areas around lower Chedoke Creek and Princess Point and has since completed work on two small-scale projects.

Small-scale aeration system

On Wednesday, September 8, a small-scale aeration system was installed close to the Kay Drage Park bridge. The aeration system will help circulate and increase oxygen levels in the water which will help decrease the amount of excess nutrients that contribute to algae blooms and cloudy water.

Floating treatment wetlands

On Saturday, September 18, crews completed the installation of an 800 sq. ft. floating treatment wetlands just inside the Princess Point Embayment. The plant roots installed will remove nutrients from the water such as Phosphorus and Nitrogen and create an ideal habitat for a diversity of plant, animal and microbial life.

In the coming weeks, signage will be installed near the Kay Drage Park bridge and Princess Point Embayment to educate visitors about both of these projects.

Both small-scale projects will be evaluated for long-term effectiveness before being considered as potential solutions within the Cootes Paradise Workplan. If advanced, a much larger version of each would be deployed as part of the Cootes Paradise Workplan.

Timeline of recent events related to the Orders

• November 20, 2020 – City receives Provincial Officer’s Order from the MECP. The Order requires the City to submit a work plan outlining dredging for Chedoke Creek, and a report outlining remediation plans for Cootes Paradise by January 22, 2021. Additionally, a work plan and implementation plan related to the remediation of Cootes Paradise would be required within five weeks of the Cootes remediation plan being approved.
• November 25, 2020 – City requests a review of the Provincial Officer’s Order to seek clarity on what specific work needs to take place and what specific water quality standards the City is being asked to meet under the Order. The City also asked the Director to consider if eight weeks is a reasonable time frame to adequately develop a plan that meets the MECP’s expectations.
• December 4, 2020 – City receives Director’s Order from the MECP, which is in response to the request for review of the Provincial Officer’s Order. The MECP extended some deadlines outlined within the original Order, but did not extend the overall time required to complete the work.
• December 9, 2020 –The MECP issues charges to the City related to the discharge into Chedoke Creek, under the authority of the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act.
• December 16, 2020 – City chooses not to appeal the MECP’s Director’s Order and begins planning for the work outlined in the Order.
• January 15, 2021 – The City was required to submit to the MECP a written notice that the City retained the services of a consultant to complete the workplan.
• February 22, 2021 – The first part of the Order was submitted to the MECP, which included a workplan outlining plans for targeted dredging in Chedoke Creek.
• March 22, 2021 – The City submits the Cootes Paradise Report to the MECP which proposes remediation/mitigation methods to offset the added nutrient loading to Cootes Paradise and the Western Hamilton Harbour Area.
• June 11, 2021 – The City receives MECP approval for the Chedoke Creek Workplan and Cootes Paradise Report.
• July 23, 2021 - The City submits a workplan to the MECP that details the remediation/mitigation methods to offset the added nutrient loading to Cootes Paradise and the Western Hamilton Harbour Area.
• August 13, 2021 – The City receives MECP approval for the Cootes Paradise Workplan.
• September 8, 2021 -The City completes installation of small-scale aeration system close to the Kay Drage Park bridge.
• September 17 & 18, 2021 – The City completes installation of floating treatment wetlands just inside the Princess Point Embayment.