THUNDER BAY – There appears to be more to the delays of the Boulevard Lake dam project than a couple of concerns from residents.
Documents from Ontario’s Ministry of Environment recently obtained by tbnewswatch.com highlight a long list of issues with the city’s incomplete environment assessment. According to the Ministry, the assessment did not even include a map of the area in question.
The $5.3 million project was put on hold this year after the city said two resident concerns were holding up the project until the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change responded.
While it is true that concerns were raised, they won't even be addressed until the city's environmental assessment, submitted to the ministry April 9, is complete.
In a 10-page response dated July 2, the MOE says the project lacks transparency, information, consultation and doesn't meet Municipal Class EA requirements so far.
The ministry also says the city failed to meet the requirements on everything from a flora and fauna study of the area to archaeological assessments to a lack of consultation with First Nations, various organizations, including other provincial ministries and the public.
While there is no minimum timeline, the ministry says the city only had a two-week period in March for its consultation stage.
"The time allowed in this case appears to have been inadequate given the detail and complexity of the project being considered," the letter states.
On the project itself, the city needs to give the ministry more information on what it's doing and why it's even doing it. It points to a proposed improved pedestrian walkway with improved lighting as an example.
There also isn't enough information about alternatives and the ministry wants to see more details in other options.
The city's EA seems to confirm why the work is needed rather than show why it's the preferred method. It also points to the fact that more transparency is needed in the city's decision-making process on the project.
It also questions why dredging the lake, considered a separate project, isn't included in the dam rehabilitation.
"If the dredging activities contribute to the rehabilitation of the dam and/or improvement of the lake it should be included within the scope of the project," the ministry says.
No work can begin until the EA is approved. Ministry spokesperson Kate Jordan said the timeline is really up to the city.
City officials say they have yet to receive the response but will now review it and be available for comment Friday.
