Loyalist Township received grant funding through the National Disaster Mitigation Program to develop mitigation measures for various shoreline roads in the Township. Through November & December 2022, technical consultants from W.F. Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers Ltd. assessed vulnerable shoreline areas on Amherst Island; specifically, the shorelines around Front Road near Emerald, the west end of Front Road, Third Concession Road, and South Shore Road. Next steps will be conceptual design and prioritizing areas for work.
Background:
Many roads on Amherst Island are susceptible to damage caused by high water events in Lake Ontario. High water levels, combined with prevailing winds and subsequent wave action, can lead to significant structural damage to shoreline roads, resulting in serious health and safety concerns. Such events, which have already happened twice in the last five years (in 2017 and 2019), have been linked to extreme weather events and are likely to happen again. The roads impacted by high water levels and coastal inundation are crucial to transportation on Amherst Island. Damage to these assets could significantly affect residents by limiting their ability to travel to or from their residences. Furthermore, damaged roads could negatively impact response times for emergency services, creating a potential public safety hazard.
Loyalist Township applied for a grant through the National Disaster Mitigation Program for funding to develop mitigation measures for various shoreline roads in the Township and was successful. The project will involve assessing vulnerable shoreline areas on Amherst Island and developing appropriate designs to reduce the potential for future damage caused by high water levels. These designs will adhere to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (2001) Technical Guide for Great Lakes-St Lawrence River System, which provides technical guidelines and procedures for establishing the limits for flooding, erosion, and dynamic beaches and includes:
- Conducting an assessment of vulnerable shoreline areas on Amherst Island;
- Reviewing environmental constraints which could impact the reconstruction of roads in these areas;
- Developing appropriate designs and providing long-term recommendations for reconstructing affected roads on Amherst Island. This includes prioritization of project areas based on vulnerability to weather-related events. Designs should minimize danger to life, mitigate and reduce impacts on the natural environment, and prevent or reduce future damage caused by flooding or erosion resulting from high water levels.
This project intends to prevent damage to the shore roads, and we are not planning to complete any work on private property. As the designs are developed, there will be an opportunity for public consultation to review and identify any concerns. At this time, there is no timeline or plan for construction; however, as the budget is available, work would progress in the same manner as the 2022-23 shoreline restoration project, where access agreements are obtained for any job on private property that would be necessary to protect the existing road.
Township staff are available to discuss any questions or concerns you have about the project. Please contact Joe Gratton, Project Supervisor, 613-386-7351, Ext. 172#