Post date: Nov 14, 2016 4:28:48 PM

UPDATE: November 21 Deadline Extended for Online Feedback. Public Meeting to be announced. http://www.rickchiarelli.com/baselinewoodroffe-stormwater-management.html

The project

The City of Ottawa has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for a Stormwater Management (SWM) Facility at the northeast corner of Baseline Road and Woodroffe Avenue. A stormwater management pond was initially recommended in the Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study (2011) and underwent further assessment in the Feasibility Study for a Surface Stormwater Management Facility at Baseline Road and Woodroffe Avenue (2015).

Location of proposed stormwater management pond [PDF 3.57 MB ]

The process

The study is being planned under Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011 and 2015). To satisfy the requirements of the Class EA process, the study must:

• Identify the existing conditions and constraints

• Confirm and assess the options for the stormwater management pond

• Document the process

• Consider the work already undertaken

The Class EA will identify a preferred option and functional design for the pond.

Existing conditions and constraints

The following aspects of the site were studied:

• Subsurface conditions (bedrock, surficial geology, groundwater)

• Environmental contamination

• Watercourses

• Fluvial geomorphology

• Fish and aquatic habitat

• Wetlands and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)

• Natural terrestrial vegetation

• Wildlife and habitat

• Species at risk and critical habitat

• Aboriginal land claims

• Cultural heritage/archaeology

• Public land ownership

• Existing land use

• Infrastructure networks

• Recreation and pedestrian/cycling routes

Drainage map [ PDF 1.284 MB ]

One of three landscape zones identified in the Study Area is considered. Hay fields evolved into what is now grassy meadow with woody vegetation seeding from the surrounding residential development. (City of Ottawa, 2015)

The existing conditions have been assessed and constraints and opportunities identified. The constraints and opportunities were then considered in developing and evaluating the options for the SWM pond and will influence its final design and construction.

An isolated Butternut tree along the northern edge of the site is the only species at risk verified by field studies to date. (City of Ottawa, 2015)

Constraints and Opportunities map [ PDF 1.444 MB ]

Options

In the 2011 Retrofit Study, three types of stormwater management measures were considered in the development of the SWM retrofit scenarios:

1. Public and private lot level measures

2. Conveyance measures

3. End-of-pipe facilities

These measures were based on an analysis of the study area characteristics and the study objectives. The 2011 Retrofit Study recommended that an end-of pipe facility (SWM pond) be built on National Capital Commission (NCC) property at the northeast corner of Baseline Road and Woodroffe Avenue.

Through the 2015 Feasibility Study, the specifications and requirements for the proposed SWM pond were refined and two conceptual designs (Option 1 and Option 2) were developed and evaluated. The NCC reviewed the options and chose Option 1 as its preferred design.

Option 1 [ PDF 2.080 MB ]

Option 2 [ PDF 2.266 MB ]

Both pond options:

• Maximize water quality and flood control benefits within the space available

• Minimize negative impacts on adjacent residents

• Mitigate frequent flow impacts on Pinecrest Creek

• Integrate pathways

The Baseline/Woodroffe SWM pond will be designed and built in accordance with best management practices for:

• Erosion and sediment control

• Noise By-Law adherence

• Spill control measures

• Post-construction monitoring

In addition to implementing best management practices, the following site-specific mitigation measures will be incorporated in the detailed design and construction to reduce or eliminate potential negative effects:

• Detailed geotechnical investigations

• Landscaping plan

• Public communications plan

• Pedestrian detour / management plan

• Traffic management plan

• Hoarding and exclusionary fencing

Reach 6 of Pinecrest Creek within the Study Area, parallel to Baseline Road. While erosion is occurring along the eastern bank of this section of the creek for approximately 25 metres, the remainder of Reach 6 is well vegetated and stable, with no erosion, as shown in this photo. (City of Ottawa, 2015)

Have your say!

Complete the feedback questionnaire. Please submit your responses and any other comments about the project by November 21, 2016. The study team will review all comments and respond to any concerns or questions before the Class EA report is completed.

Next steps

• Choose the preferred option (fall 2016)

• Prepare the Class EA report (fall 2016)

• Environment Committee and City Council approvals (winter 2016)

• 30-day public review of Class EA Report (winter 2016/early 2017)

• Detailed design (2017)

• Begin construction (2018/2019)

For further information or to provide comments, please contact:

Darlene Conway, P.Eng.

Senior Project Manager

City of Ottawa

110 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, ON, K1P 1J1

Phone: 613-580-2424, ext. 27611

Fax: 613-580-2578

Email: Darlene.Conway@ottawa.ca

ottawa.ca/baselinewoodroffepond