Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal Facility

1. Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal Facility Presentation to Council July 13th, 2009

2. Salt Management Plan – Why? • Late 90’s Environment Canada became concerned with the environmental effects of road salt • A comprehensive assessment concluded that excessive use of road salts was causing environmental damage • Also recognized that salt is critical to winter safety • Canadian Transportation sector worked with Environment Canada to develop a Canadian strategy to manage road salts • The strategy was published as Environment Canada’s Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (2004) • Canadian Transportation Agencies are committed to complying with this Code of Practice and developing Salt Management Plans

3. Salt Management Plan – Key Areas of Concern? • Excessive salt use on roads and sidewalks • Particular concern around salt vulnerable areas • Storage and handling areas such as maintenance yards • Snow storage and disposal areas

4. Salt Management Plan – Why & How? • GOAL - To maintain safe winter travel while reducing the negative environmental effects of road salt. • Comprehensive review of the City’s Winter Maintenance Program – identified areas needing improvement • Establishes a multi-year plan to improve salt management – some improvement already made. • Consistent with Environment Canada’s Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (2004)

5. Salt Management Plan – Key Findings • The City’s Winter Program is good with some key areas for improvement • Staff already working on many improvements • Key areas for improvement are: • Level of Service Policy – Sidewalks • Increase use of pre-wetting • Fine-tune application rates for salt and sand/salt mix • Increase use of pavement temperatures in decision-making • Improve training & record-keeping

6. Salt Management Plan – Two Major Areas • Upgrade Maintenance Yard • Material Storage • Drainage and washwater management • Good Housekeeping Practices • Equipment Loading • Site Logistics • Review Snow Disposal Site • Location – good and bad • Capacity concerns • Access • Drainage and meltwater management • Aesthetics

7. SNOW DISPOSAL FACILTY (SDF) – EA STUDY • City undertook a Class EA Study to review the future status of the existing snow disposal facility on Water Street West. • The study included: • A review of possible upgrading of the existing site. • A review of potential new snow disposal site. • Consideration of alternative technologies • Followed Municipal Class EA Process, Schedule B

8. Issues With Existing Disposal Site • Located on the City’s waterfront • May conflict with waterfront development plans • Does not include specific meltwater treatment • Discharges directly to the St. Lawrence River • One-lane bridge access deteriorating and a bottle neck • Site owned by Transport Canada • Limited capacity – Expansion opportunities restricted

9. SDF – CLASS EA / SITE SELECTION PROCESS • Start-up Notification (newspaper ads, contacted external agencies) • Identified Potential Alternative Site Areas (see next slide) • Presented Potential Areas and screening at a Public Information Centre (PIC) - February 18, 2009 • Based on findings of screening and feedback from the PIC, two sites were identified on the short list: • Upgrade the existing site • Relocate to Site Area #7 (located at Virginia Drive) • Carried out a detailed analysis / evaluation of the short-listed sites. • Undertook additional consultation with Trans-North Pipelines, MOE, MNR and Conservation Authority. • Identified Preferred Site Area • Preparing an EA Project File and will be placing onto the public record later this summer for a 30-day review period

10. Site Area #7 Existing Site

11. SDF – PREFERRED SITE • Potential Site Area #7 is preferred for the following reasons: • Secures site in City’s ownership • Still close to the City’s downtown area • Sufficient capacity for the future • Greater potential for meltwater and stormwater management • Provides safe & efficient truck circulation on-site • Relocates the SDF away from residential houses on Water Street W. • Allows opportunities for future waterfront redevelopment at the existing site • Avoids the need to replace the existing bridge crossing over the Old Cornwall Canal for snow disposal operations • Has a lower construction cost: • ~$2.54 million for Potential Site Area #7 • ~$2.95 million for upgrading existing site

12. SDF – PREFERRED SITE – CONCEPT PLAN SITE FEATURES - Meltwater Treatment – Vegetative Buffers – Dual Access – Industrial Location - Acceptable to TNPL and Raisin Region Conservation Authority

13. Thank You QUESTIONS Salt Management Plan & Snow Disposal Facility Presentation to Council July 13th, 2009