Leamy Creek Pathway Re-Naturalization

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is undertaking a re-naturalization initiative west of Boulevard St. Joseph in Gatineau, Quebec to improve ecological integrity and address pathway infrastructure challenges. As part of this effort, a short 20-meter segment of the Leamy Creek multi-use pathway is proposed for removal and re-naturalization. In addition, to support safety, a small ≤1 m2 section of manicured grass will be converted to asphalt pathway to allow for safe navigation of the pathway intersection for cyclists (the Project).

 

The scope of the Project will include cutting and removing asphalt and the granular base of the existing pathway as well as the removal of a corrugated steel pipe culvert and associated culvert infrastructure (i.e., granular base and inlet and outlet armour wall) at the south extent of the 20-meter segment of pathway to be removed. Following the culvert removal, the area will be graded to match upstream and downstream conditions. Topsoil will replace the existing granular for the pathway segment and the disturbed culvert area and a natural wet meadow seed mix will be applied to match surrounding natural environment existing conditions. The removal of the culvert will not affect hydrology, since the intermittent watercourse morphology and downstream flow will be maintained.

 

With the exception to the minor addition of asphalt to ensure cyclist safety and the culvert works, all activities will be confined to the existing footprint of the asphalt multi-use pathway. Due to the Project's location within the Philémon-Leamy Corridor Critical Habitat area of the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population) and the potential for individuals to be incidentally present within vicinity of the Project area, a Species at Risk Act, 2002 (SARA) permit may be required. The Project is expected to benefit the Western Chorus Frog by facilitating the creation of a net addition of new terrestrial habitat.

 

The Project works are planned to be of short duration and will be scheduled when Western Chorus Frog is expected to occupy breeding ponds and not the potential terrestrial habitat areas for feeding or movement adjacent to the Project footprint. Therefore, implementation will be targeted for either (April 01 – June 01) when WCF will not be within the potential terrestrial habitat areas or when individuals are expected to occupy hibernation habitat (October 01 – March 01) thereby reducing potential disturbances or species interactions.

 

The NCC and Environment and Climate Change Canada must determine whether this project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects under sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act (2019) and the National Capital Act (1985).

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Latest update

April 12, 2026 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The National Capital Commission is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - March 12, 2026

Contacts

Civil Engineering and Environment, Design and Construction
National Capital Commission
342–40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1C7
Telephone: 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867
Email: Civil-Enviro@ncc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Gatineau (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Maintenance activities (fences, walls)
    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-03-12

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90289

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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