Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the Town of Ajax, is undertaking a flood and erosion control project along the Ajax Waterfront.
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSEA Virtual Open House for the Ajax Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project is open to view. To view the open house, please select the button below. |
To complete this study, TRCA will initiate a Class Environmental Assessment (EA), which provides the opportunity for input from the public and other stakeholders.
The goal of this project is to develop long-term flood and erosion mitigation measures to protect the Ajax Waterfront from impacts of shoreline erosion.
Explore the Project
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Ajax Waterfront, bookended on the west by Duffin’s Creek and on the east by Carruthers Marsh, has been a natural buffer between Lake Ontario and local development for over 60 years.
Once agricultural land, the waterfront area now exists as public space with the Waterfront Trail, playgrounds, gardens, and the Ajax Water Supply Plant.
Above left: Aerial view of the proximity of the Waterfront Trail to the shoreline along the Ajax Waterfront.
Above right: Aerial view of a section of bluffs along the shoreline.
High water levels in 2017 and 2019 and a high wind event in 2018, compounded by natural erosion rates, have resulted in hazardous or potentially hazardous erosion in the area.
Previous Projects and Studies
The Town of Ajax has partnered with TRCA numerous times to complete waterfront improvement projects.
This includes wetland creation, vegetation planting, infrastructure repair and most recently the construction of a boardwalk connecting Rotary Park to Duffin’s Creek Bridge in 2021.
These projects addressed flooding and erosion concerns as well as improving public access to amenities along the waterfront.
Aerial views of the boardwalk at Duffin’s Creek.
In addition to a history of work at the project site, TRCA is drawing upon knowledge obtained from previous studies undertaken for the Ajax Waterfront area:
- Previous biological monitoring was completed by TRCA and will be updated as part of the Class EA process to reflect current environmental conditions and provide the most beneficial and environmentally responsible erosion management options along the shoreline.
- TRCA engineering studies conducted from 2007-2009 to assess nearshore water quality will inform the current project to ensure water quality is not impacted.
TRCA is also using information in the Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), written in 2020, to structure erosion management plans moving forward.
The purpose of this report was to develop a shoreline management strategy to promote sustainable coastal development in the future through a process called Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
Recommendations in the SMP will be considered during the planning and implementation process.
What is Integrated Coastal Zone Management?
ICZM balances the environmental, economic, social, cultural, and recreational objectives within the limits of the existing and predicted dynamic coastal ecosystem.
Ten general recommendations are included, which are applied to the entire shoreline. These include:
- Incorporating the effects of climate change
- Protecting sources of sediment and monitoring the effects of sediment transport
- Considering “hard armouring” of the shore as a last resort
- Nourishing artificial beaches
- Integrating this plan with neighbouring jurisdictions
STUDY AREA
TRCA and the Town of Ajax are focusing their efforts on the 5.7 km shoreline along the Ajax Waterfront, following the Waterfront Trail.
The project area spans the Ajax waterfront from Frisco Road in the west to Ontoro Boulevard in the east, and is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
TRCA has identified several areas of focus where infrastructure, trails or public spaces are being or at risk of being negatively impacted by erosion.
A particular focus of the project will be on the bluffs along The Waterfront Trail, as areas of the shoreline have begun to encroach on the trail and are of increasing public concern.
Although natural erosion processes will be allowed to continue where safe, areas where erosion is potentially compromising the integrity of the trail will be addressed.
It is important to maintain a natural shoreline where possible, and through the Class EA TRCA will evaluate the areas of focus more rigorously.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Class EA Process
The Project is being planned in accordance with Conservation Ontario’s Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects (amended 2013), which is the approved process for this type of undertaking.
As part of the Class EA, a study will be started to develop and explore a range of potential alternative solutions for the identified study areas.
Read a general overview of environmental assessments.
The Class EA process outlines the steps required to determine the preferred solution for addressing flood and erosion hazards while minimizing environmental impacts.
As part of the process, several alternative solutions are presented for a project and each alternative undergoes detailed technical evaluation as well as public review and consultation.
The goal of this review process is to identify a preferred solution that offers the best means to protect against flooding and erosion, while mitigating other impacts that may result from the project.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for the Class EA will include the development of several alternatives and the selection of a preferred alternative for each of the study areas included in the Project.
As part of the scope of work, TRCA will do the following:
- Collect and review baseline environmental data
- Establish a Community Liaison Committee (CLC)
- Develop three (3) alternative solutions for each of the study areas
- Evaluate the environmental impacts of each of the alternative solutions and select the preferred alternative for each study area
- Host public engagement events to receive comments and feedback on the proposed solutions, including Public Information Centres (PIC)
- Prepare and file an Environmental Study Report (ESR) that documents the process and reviews the impacts of each of the preferred alternatives.
Following completion of the Class EA process as outlined above, the Project will proceed to detailed design development and permitting for priority areas as funding availability allows.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The Class EA process guarantees opportunities for public and stakeholder participation throughout the planning stages of a project.
Public input is a fundamental part of the planning and design process for this Project and TRCA will be inviting members of the community to participate in this study through public and stakeholder engagement.
Project Timeline
| Class Environmental Assessment Process Phase | Phase Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Initiation of Class EA Process | Notice of Intent is published and Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is established |
| 2. Prepare Baseline Environmental Inventory | Desktop and physical environmental review used to determine impacts of alternative solutions |
| 3. Develop alternative solutions | |
| 4. Present concepts for comment at CLC and Public Information Centre (PIC) meetings | Opportunity for public feedback on proposed alternative solutions |
| 5. Select and refine preferred alternative solutions | |
| 6. Analyze projected environmental impacts of preferred alternative | Detailed breakdown of impacts for most preferred solution |
| 7. Present the environmental impact analysis at CLC & PIC meetings | Opportunity for public feedback on refined alternative |
| 8. Prepare an Environmental Study Report (ESR) to document impact analysis and public consultation | |
| 9. File the ESR for 30 day review period | Notice of Filing issued upon filing, and Notice of Project Approval issued after successful 30 day review period |
TRCA will distribute the following notices throughout the Class EA process:
Notice of Intent: issued when the Project is initiated and includes invitation to the public to participate in the Project.
Advertising of public engagement events, including Public Information Centres (PICs).
Notice of Filing: issued when the study is completed and the ESR is submitted for 30-day review period to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Notice of Project Approval: issued once the Environmental Study Report has been approved following 30-day review period indicating the Class EA planning process has been completed.
Information will be distributed through this website, social media, on-site signage, and digital mailing lists.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
Class EA documents will be available for viewing here following publication.
Notice of Intent:
- Notice of Intent (published September 8, 2022)
Advertisements:
- PIC 1 Meeting Ad (published May 19, 2023)
PROJECT UPDATES
December 9, 2022:
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting #1
The Project Team hosted a meeting to discuss the technical elements of draft concept designs with a Technical Advisory Committee formed as part of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process. TAC representatives have been selected from a range of technical disciplines from both the Town of Ajax and TRCA.
The goal of the meeting was to collect technical input on the draft conceptual designs that have been prepared by the Project Consultants as part of the planning process. Comments from the TAC will be incorporated into the final designs for the Ajax Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project.
January 26, 2023:
Community Liaison Committee (CLC) Meeting #1
The Project Team hosted a meeting to discuss draft concept designs with a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) formed as part of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process. CLC representatives were invited from public stakeholders such as the Ajax Town Council, Mayors Office, and local community group representatives as well as the Project Team and Project Consultants.
The goal of the meeting was to collect feedback from community leaders on the draft conceptual designs that have been prepared by the Project Consultants as part of the planning process. Comments from the CLC will be incorporated into the final designs for the Ajax Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project.
May 25, 2023:
Public Information Centre Meeting #1
The Project Team hosted a meeting to discuss preliminary concept designs with the public as part of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process. The meeting consisted of a presentation on Project elements led by the Senior Project Manager and the opportunity for the public to ask questions to the Senior Project Manager as well as a panel of representatives from TRCA, the Town of Ajax, and W.F. Baird and Associates.
The goal of the meeting was to collect feedback from community members on the preliminary conceptual designs that were prepared by the Project Consultants as part of the planning process. Comments from the PIC will be incorporated into the final designs for the Ajax Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Have questions? Want to join the project mailing list? Please contact:
Natasha Gibson, PMP
Senior Project Manager, Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
natasha.gibson@trca.ca
(365) 566-2342
This study is being completed in coordination with the Town of Ajax.