Public Notice

Water Control Infrastructure and Dike Repair and Maintenance - Big Creek National Wildlife Area – Public Comments Invited

 

November 15, 2022 – The authority must determine whether the proposed Water Control Infrastructure and Dike Repair and Maintenance, located in Big Creek 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 December 16, 2022 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 is proposing to undertake maintenance and repair activities to improve the dike infrastructure within the Big Creek National Wildlife Area, located in Port Rowan, 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.

Ducks Unlimited Canada will re-core the dikes using excavators and other heavy machinery to remove the centre of approximately 1.7km of the dikes. New sterile clay will be placed to re-core the dikes, making them much stronger. Dike tops will be regraded, repaired and in some instances raised to increase safety and functionality.

The proposed work will be completed during the late fall and winter, when disturbance to migratory birds and other wildlife will be minimal. 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. All work will take place above the high water line and sediment and erosion control will be used where necessary.

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