Chippewa Park Breakwater Removal

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Consultation has concluded

UPDATE

A draft plan for removing the nearly 70-year-old wooden dock and breakwater on the east side of Chippewa Park beach, as well as erosion protection for the adjoining shoreline and maintaining fish habitat is now available for public review.

The plan has been prepared on behalf of the City of Thunder Bay and The Friends of Chippewa Park by JML Engineering, and was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Parks and Conservation.

In addition to the process for the removal of the dock and stone, the plan details the removal of the existing wood retaining wall and fence, methods of protecting the shoreline from wave and ice action, and minimizing runoff and sediment contamination. Replacement of fish habitat is a key part of the plan.

View the proposed Plan here: Removal of the Chippewa Park Breakwater.

Commenting on the proposed Plan via our online survey tool is now closed, and feedback is under review.

Input from the public, review agencies and other stakeholders will be considered in the planning and design of the project.


BACKGROUND

The Chippewa Park main beach was identified as part of the Thunder Bay Area of Concern (AOC) in the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Beach Closings is one of the remaining impaired Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) in the Thunder Bay AOC and improving the water quality conditions at Chippewa Park main beach will help to achieve the delisting criteria.

Chippewa Park Breakwater Study

In 2015, a Chippewa Park Breakwater Study was under taken by Oshki-Aki LP, a limited partnership company between True Grit Consulting Limited and Fort William First Nation, for the City of Thunder Bay. The breakwater, oriented in a north-south direction and located approximately 380 metres east of the main beach, consists of a wooden dock and armour stones. The study focused on the investigation of viable options for removal and reconfiguration of the breakwater with the objectives of addressing the health and safety liability of the breakwater, improving the water circulation and water quality, and enhancing the fish habitat and beach area.

Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment - Chippewa Breakwater Removal

In 2019, The City of Thunder Bay initiated a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to study if and how the Chippewa Breakwater should be removed or modified and the potential environmental and social effects of those activities. Input from stakeholders was accepted until January 17, 2020.


MORE INFORMATION, AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK

To provide your comments directly or to request additional information concerning the project, please contact:

Werner Schwar, Supervisor Parks & Open Space Planning
City of Thunder Bay
111 Syndicate Ave S. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 5K4
Tel: 807-625-2806
Fax: 807-625-3258
E-mail: wschwar@thunderbay.ca

UPDATE

A draft plan for removing the nearly 70-year-old wooden dock and breakwater on the east side of Chippewa Park beach, as well as erosion protection for the adjoining shoreline and maintaining fish habitat is now available for public review.

The plan has been prepared on behalf of the City of Thunder Bay and The Friends of Chippewa Park by JML Engineering, and was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Parks and Conservation.

In addition to the process for the removal of the dock and stone, the plan details the removal of the existing wood retaining wall and fence, methods of protecting the shoreline from wave and ice action, and minimizing runoff and sediment contamination. Replacement of fish habitat is a key part of the plan.

View the proposed Plan here: Removal of the Chippewa Park Breakwater.

Commenting on the proposed Plan via our online survey tool is now closed, and feedback is under review.

Input from the public, review agencies and other stakeholders will be considered in the planning and design of the project.


BACKGROUND

The Chippewa Park main beach was identified as part of the Thunder Bay Area of Concern (AOC) in the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Beach Closings is one of the remaining impaired Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) in the Thunder Bay AOC and improving the water quality conditions at Chippewa Park main beach will help to achieve the delisting criteria.

Chippewa Park Breakwater Study

In 2015, a Chippewa Park Breakwater Study was under taken by Oshki-Aki LP, a limited partnership company between True Grit Consulting Limited and Fort William First Nation, for the City of Thunder Bay. The breakwater, oriented in a north-south direction and located approximately 380 metres east of the main beach, consists of a wooden dock and armour stones. The study focused on the investigation of viable options for removal and reconfiguration of the breakwater with the objectives of addressing the health and safety liability of the breakwater, improving the water circulation and water quality, and enhancing the fish habitat and beach area.

Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment - Chippewa Breakwater Removal

In 2019, The City of Thunder Bay initiated a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to study if and how the Chippewa Breakwater should be removed or modified and the potential environmental and social effects of those activities. Input from stakeholders was accepted until January 17, 2020.


MORE INFORMATION, AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK

To provide your comments directly or to request additional information concerning the project, please contact:

Werner Schwar, Supervisor Parks & Open Space Planning
City of Thunder Bay
111 Syndicate Ave S. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 5K4
Tel: 807-625-2806
Fax: 807-625-3258
E-mail: wschwar@thunderbay.ca