The Dingman Creek Weir Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Class Environmental Assessment Report - Dingman Creek Weir Removal, March 2005

Figures from the Report:

• Figure 1 (1 mb pdf)

• Figure 2 (4 mb pdf) or Figure 2 (244 kb jpeg)

• Figure 3 (579 kb pdf)

• Figure 4a (788 kb pdf)

• Figure 4b (291 kb pdf)

Appendices:

• Appendix A - Barrier Assessment Process Discussion Paper

• Appendix B - Dingman Creek Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network Water Quality Data

• Appendix C - UTRCA and Royal Ontario Museum Dingman Creek Fish Sampling Records

• Appendix D - UTRCA Benthic Invertebrate Sampling Data

• Appendix E - Dingman Creek Weir Vegetation Community Species Listing

• Appendix F - Public and Agency Consultation - may be viewed at UTRCA office

Notice of Completion (March 2005)

The City of London, with the participation of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, carried out a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine the future of the Dingman Creek Weir.  The purpose of the EA was to investigate options for the weir in order to meet the following objectives:

• Address public safety and liability issues.

• Minimize long-term maintenance requirements of the site.

• Enhance the aquatic health of Dingman Creek by restoring and enhancing fish habitat and providing fish passage.

• Maintain the site’s value to the community.

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

The Dingman Creek Weir project was planned under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process, which ensures municipal projects follow an approved procedure that takes environmental and public concerns into account. The EA process provides a legislated planning framework to ensure that all environmental effects associated with a proposed undertaking are fully considered before any work is implemented.

The Dingman Creek Weir

The Dingman Creek Weir was constructed in the early 1940s by the Alsop family, who were local landowners (the weir is also known as Alsop’s Dam). Although it is not know exactly when the weir was constructed, the structure appears to be present in 1942 aerial photography. Information from the local community indicates that the weir was built to provide power. The weir and surrounding land, known as the Dingman Creek Conservation Area, are currently owned by the City of London.

Evaluating the Options

In order to determine the most appropriate course of action for the Dingman Creek Weir, the potential management options were compared in terms of their overall effectiveness in satisfying the project objectives and their net environmental effects. A preliminary environmental screening identified the specific ecological, social and economic impacts of each option.

Final Evaluation and Selection of the Preferred Option

The evaluation and comparison of the options was finalized based on overall effectiveness, cost, potential environmental effects, and the feasibility of implementation. This evaluation considered concerns raised by the public, agencies and other affected groups. Completion of this step resulted in selection of the preferred option: decommission and remove the weir, rehabilitate the stream channel with natural channel design (e.g. rock riffle) and restore the channel and bank

Class EA Report

The selection of the preferred option is documented in the final Class EA Report. This report includes:

• A description and schedule of the implementation activities.

• Mitigation measures to eliminate or minimize any environmental effects.

• Monitoring procedures to ensure that the required mitigation is implemented and adverse environmental effects do not occur.

Public Notification and Project Approval

A Notice of Completion identifying the preferred option was been advertised in the local media and mailed to all relevant public and agency stakeholders, and to those people who responded to the first notice. As part of the Notice of Completion, the public was provided with a 30 day review period to review the study documentation and provide comments to the City of London or UTRCA. As no significant concerns or objectives were received during the review period, the preferred option was be deemed approved.

Project Implementation

The project implementation proceeded following completion of the Class EA Report and the 30 day public and agency review period.

For more information...

If you would like more information, please contact:, Urban Watershed Program Manager, City of London, or , Community Partnership Specialist, UTRCA.

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