Report to/Rapport au :

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

26 March 2004 / le 26 mars 2004

Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, General Manager/Directeur général,

Planning and Development Department/Services de l'urbanisme et de l'aménagement

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Vivi Chi, Manager, Transportation Infrastructure / Gestionnaire, Infrastructure des transports

(613) 580-2424 x21610, vivi.chi@ottawa.ca

Ref N°: ACS2004-DEV-POL-0017

SUBJECT:	EAST-WEST CORRIDOR LRT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT-STATEMENT OF WORK

OBJET :	ÉVALUATION ENVIRONNEMENTALE DU PROJET DU COULOIR EST-OUEST DU TLR – ÉNONCÉ DES TRAVAUX

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Transportation Committee approve the Statement of Work for the East-West Corridor LRT Project Environmental Assessment, including the proposed Consultation Program.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des transports approuve l’énoncé des travaux concernant l’évaluation environnementale du projet du couloir est-ouest du TLR, y compris le programme de consultation publique proposé.

BACKGROUND

On 24 September 2003 Council received the Ottawa Rapid Transit Expansion Program (ORTEP) Implementation Strategy report and approved the following motions:

1. Proceed immediately with the Environmental Assessment for the priority O-Train Expansion LRT line from Rideau Centre to Limebank (Riverside South), thus allowing the city to proceed with the option deemed most appropriate once funding mechanisms have been confirmed;

2. Proceed with the Environmental Assessment on the East-West LRT corridor.

Accordingly, in January 2004, staff brought forward the Statement of Work for the North-South LRT priority project and the consultant selection process is now underway, with a study start date of April 2004.

The City is now initiating the process for the EA study for the East-West LRT Corridor and seeks Committee approval of the attached Statement of Work (Document 1).

DISCUSSION

Figure 1 shows the proposed East-West Corridor LRT Project (solid line) as envisaged in the Rapid Transit Expansion Study (RTES) and the Ottawa Rapid Transit Expansion Program (ORTEP) Implementation Strategy. The proposed LRT corridor would provide an improved east-west rapid transit connectivity bypassing the downtown. It also presents a unique opportunity to influence development within growth areas of Kanata and Orleans as well as inside the Greenbelt. As such, it would be prudent to undertake the EA for this corridor now. Once the planning work is completed, the City would be in a position to discuss public-private partnership with interested parties as they come forward. This creates the opportunity to advance the implementation of the East-West corridor earlier than planned.

FIGURE 1: Proposed E-W LRT Corridor

Initiating the EA clearly demonstrates the City’s commitment to the development of its entire comprehensive rapid transit network, which is important in order to achieve the targeted modal split and to ensure sustainable growth and development.

This rapid transit project is subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the study must be carried out following the Individual EA process, including the development of the Terms of Reference (ToR) and its submission to the Minister of the Environment for approval.

As there is a likely requirement for Federal property, and with the City pursuing Federal funding, the project must also comply with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Discussions with federal and provincial EA review agencies is already underway to develop a harmonized process that satisfies both Provincial and Federal EA Act requirements while avoiding unnecessary duplication.

This EA will examine a range of alternatives, identify both construction and operational impacts on all aspects of the environment and bring forward a recommended plan detailing mitigation measures, costs, and all approvals required to proceed with implementation as opportunities present themselves. This Individual EA study will take approximately 20 months to complete.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The study will be conducted in accordance with both Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment Act requirements in that all EA studies examine the social, economic, physical and natural environments within the study area. Effects on the environment will be identified and impacts will be evaluated for the various alternatives under consideration. Appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and post-mitigation environmental impacts will be determined.

CONSULTATION

Consultation with the public, stakeholders, and public agencies is an integral component of this study. The City will undertake the consultation outlined in Section 6.0 of the attached Statement of Work. A detailed consultation program for the EA will be developed as part of the ToR, which will also undergo consultation prior to submission to the Ministry of the Environment.

In general terms, the consultation program will consist of meetings with stakeholders through Agency Consultation Group (ACG), and Public Consultation Group (PCG); and meetings with the general public through Public Open Houses.

The Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will be formed from government/public agencies to address the full range of technical issues and to comment on all of the special studies required to fully assess the various alternatives and to ensure that the City is following the correct procedures, legislation and addressing appropriate policies.

The Public Consultation Group (PCG) will enable community/special group representatives to provide direct input to the study, commenting on local issues and concerns.

The East-West corridor spans approximately 47 km over a broad geographic area, encompassing many community groups. There are two different approaches to form the PCG:

Approach 1: use the common practice of having a public consultation group with one representative from each community association that is adjacent to the corridor. In this case, the consultation group will be in excess of 60 members, which becomes exceedingly difficult to coordinate and administrate. This will necessitate splitting the group into three (3) area-based consultation groups. This will lead to increase project efforts, cost and timeline.

Approach 2: identify 2 representatives from each of the wards that are adjacent to the East-West LRT corridor to be a member of this group. This will be done in consultation with each Ward Councillor. These 11 wards are:

19 Cumberland 3 Bell-South Nepean

2 Innes 9 Knoxdale-Merivale

11 Beacon Hill-Cyrville 8 Baseline

10 Gloucester-Southgate 7 Bay

18 Alta Vista 4 Kanata

16 Capital

Staff is recommending using approach 2 to form the PCG. In both approaches, the PGC will also be augmented with representation from the following groups:

· City of Ottawa

· Pedestrian & Public Transit Advisory Committee

· Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee

· Accessibility Advisory Committee

· Environmental Advisory Committee

· Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee

· Arts, Heritage and Cultural Advisory Committee

· Transport 2000

· Federation of Citizens Association

Other stakeholder groups with interests in pedestrian, cycling, transit, mobility impaired, and women’s safety issues will be invited to participate on the PCG as well.

The membership, roles and responsibilities of each Consultation Group will be identified during the development of the Terms of Reference.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Funds are available in the 2004 Capital Budget, Order No. 902973, Smart Growth Transit - Environment Assessments, Reference pages 382 and 383.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1: East-West Corridor LRT Project Environmental Assessment Study - Statement of Work

DISPOSITION

Following Committee approval of the attached Statement of Work, the consultant selection process will be undertaken in accordance with the established City practice. Request for Qualifications and subsequently a Request for Proposals will be initiated. The selected consultant will start the EA process with the development of the Terms of Reference for the approval of the Minister of the Environment.

Document 1

East-West Corridor LRT Project Environmental Assessment

Statement of Work

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The City of Ottawa is the proponent of an individual environmental assessment (EA) to study the proposed East‑West Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. This corridor was developed at a strategic level through the Rapid Transit Expansion Study (RTES), 2003. Although RTES indicated a later implementation date, it is prudent to undertake further detailed planning work now to address land use development and coordination issues. This EA will examine a range of alternatives, identify both construction and operational impacts on all aspects of the environment and bring forward a recommended plan detailing mitigation measures, costs, and all approvals required to proceed with implementation as opportunities present themselves.

This Statement of Work describes the City’s intentions with respect to the methodology, public consultation and deliverables for this study. It outlines the tasks to be undertaken to complete this EA, and upon approval from the City’s Transportation Committee will form the basis for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to be issued by the City of Ottawa.

2.0 PLANNING CONTEXT

In May 2003, the City of Ottawa adopted a new Official Plan (OP) that projects rapid population growth from 800,000 to 1,200,000 people by 2021. The OP sets out a growth management strategy that emphasizes urban intensification and increased mixed-use development centred on rapid transit system as a means to increase transit use and reduce dependence on automobile during peak hours.

To support this strategy, the City approved its new Transportation Master Plan (TMP) in September 2003. The TMP establishes objectives for transit use that would see the overall peak hour transit modal split increase from 17% to 30% by 2021. The TMP identifies an expanded rapid transit network as a key component to achieving this objective (Figure 1). This network was developed through the City’s Rapid Transit Expansion Study (RTES). The Study recommended network and priority implementation plan were approved by City Council on February 2003.

Furthermore, staff developed an implementation strategy - entitled the Ottawa Rapid Transit Expansion Program (ORTEP) - for the long-term plan for the overall rapid transit network that included timelines, funding and partnership options, and financial implications.

On 24 September 2003 City Council received the ORTEP Implementation Strategy report and approved the following motions:

2. Proceed with the Environmental Assessment on the East-West LRT corridor

FIGURE 1: rapid transit network

Accordingly, in January 2004, staff brought forward the statement of work for the North-South LRT priority Project which was approved by the Transportation Committee. The North-South LRT corridor EA study is currently underway. The City is now initiating this EA study for the East-West LRT Corridor.

The implementation of this LRT corridor would provide an improved east-west connectivity bypassing the downtown. It also presents a unique opportunity to influence development within growth areas of Kanata and Orleans as well as inside the Greenbelt. As such, it would be prudent to undertake the EA for this corridor now. If the planning work were completed ahead of time, the City would be in a position to discuss public-private partnership with interested parties as they come forward. This creates the opportunity to advance the implementation of the East-West corridor earlier than planned.

Initiating the EA also signals to senior levels of government that the City is serious about its entire comprehensive rapid transit network – not just one priority component – in order to achieve the targeted modal split and to ensure sustainable growth and development.

As the City is the proponent for this undertaking, this project is subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA) and will be carried out as an Individual EA. Accordingly a Terms of Reference (ToR) will be prepared at the outset of the study to define the undertaking and detail the proposed methodology and work plan. The ToR will undergo public and stakeholder consultation prior to submission to the provincial Minister of the Environment for approval. Upon approval, the EA will be undertaken in accordance with the approved ToR.

As there is a likely requirement for federal property, and with the City pursuing federal funding, the project must also comply with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Under CEAA, Federal Environmental Assessment Co-ordinator (FEAC) shall be identified who determines the scope of the assessment and guides the process.

Since this project must satisfy both provincial and federal act requirements, a harmonized process will be undertaken to avoid unnecessary duplication. The harmonized process will produce a single ToR and will complete a single environmental assessment addressing both the provincial and federal requirements.

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND STUDY AREA

The ultimate East-West Corridor LRT Project (Figure 2), as envisaged in RTES and detailed within the ORTEP Implementation Strategy, consists of approximately 47 km of twin tracks from the intersection of Klondike and March Road in Kanata, through the Kanata North Business Park, along the Ottawa Central Railway (OCR) and Beachburg Rail Subdivision to the Queensway-Carleton Hospital Campus. Service will continue easterly to the North-South LRT corridor at Greenboro, through the Walkley Yard, the Alexandria Rail Subdivision, along a corridor south of Innes Road, then travelling south of the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass along the Cumberland Transitway alignment to Trim Road. Approximately 25 stations and 5 park and ride lots are proposed along this corridor.

FIGURE 2: PROPOSED EAST-WEST LRT CORRIDOR

An EA study was completed in 1999 for Cumberland Transitway, which defines it as a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor from the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass easterly to Trim Road. As part of RTES discussion, Council recommended that this section be implemented as a BRT in the near future, serving as a first phase to the LRT corridor. The East-West LRT EA will address the Cumberland Transitway component and future conversion to LRT for this section of the corridor.

The study area (shaded area in Figure 3) is not rigidly defined but remains flexible to address environmental impacts; operational issues; to coordinate with relevant on-going studies and projects; to study and identify stations and their locations, Park and Ride lot needs, and; to identify tie-ins to future network connections. The study area shall be identified and confirmed early in the study process during the preparation of the ToR.

FIGURE 3: STUDY AREA

4.0 MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

The ToR shall identify the issues to be examined during the course of this study. Some of the major issues to be addressed include, but not limited to:

Staging and Technology

Implementing a project of this magnitude would likely necessitate a staged implementation approach. Accordingly, the EA study shall examine a range of options, and recommend a preferred staging strategy based upon a range of criteria including ridership generation potential, likely development potential along the corridor, compatibility and integration with land use, environmental considerations, logical sequence and ease of implementation, costs, and funding availability.

Although Council has already approved the RTES long range recommendation for twin-track electric LRT, this EA study will examine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of single-track alternatives. The EA will also examine the option of using the DMU vehicles currently in use on the North-South corridor, with additional vehicles.

Grade Separation Requirements

The ultimate East-West Corridor, as envisaged in RTES, crosses the VIA rail line, the North-South LRT Corridor, Rideau River, Southeast Transitway, Southwest Transitway, West Transitway, twice Highway 417, and numerous arterial roads. Requirements for grade separation with these facilities will be addressed. Existing structures will be examined to determine whether there are any impacts (keep as is, modify, or replace).

Coordination with existing freight/passenger rail Traffic

Transcontinental freights were re-routed away from the Beachburg Subdivision to Toronto in 1995 and as such freight traffic is minimal. Also, this route passes over 1.1 kilometers of track between Wass and Federal Junction that is also used by heavy VIA trains.

The option of co-locating the LRT operation on existing freight tracks versus operating in the same RoW but on separate tracks will be examined. For the “same track” option, the issue of coordinating the schedules of the LRT and VIA Rail (on the Smith Falls Subdivision) and freight (on the Beachburg Subdivision) will be investigated and verified with Transport Canada regulations on the shared use.

Integration with other modes

The provision of strategically located and appropriately sized Park and Ride facilities is key to providing high quality rapid transit service, and achieving the expected ridership within this corridor. This study will examine and recommend the preferred location and size of Park and Ride lots, as well as access requirements. The recommended plan will incorporate functional designs and cost estimates for these facilities.

The Study will also examine the integration with other transit services. Of particular importance are the integration with the North-South LRT, Southwest Transitway, the Southeast Transitway and West Transitway at Hwy 417. The recommended plan will incorporate functional design and cost estimate for stations and transfer facilities.

The TMP identified a future multi-use pathway following the proposed LRT Corridor from Woodroffe Avenue to Rideau River to Highway 417 East. The Study will examine how these two facilities are interfaced.

Urban Environment Integration

The possible introduction of surface running LRT through Kanata North and possibly in other areas will have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. This study will determine a preferred alignment, and address a host of issues including, but not limited to urban design, access to adjacent land uses, station locations, integration with the pedestrian environment, including safety and access considerations, effect on cycling, noise and vibration.

Operation and Maintenance Requirements

A considerable amount of supporting infrastructure is required to provide for the operation of the proposed LRT system. Amongst the major components required, this study will:

· identify LRT vehicle maintenance and storage facility requirements, and address the environmental impacts of its connection to the system;

· identify and cost electrical supply requirements and facilities, as necessary, including all substations and property requirements;

· identify and cost all communications, control and signalling requirements, including central control facility location and requirements.

Serving Extensive Employment Market

A chain of extensive employment areas currently exists along this LRT corridor. It extends from Orleans Industrial Park, Sheffield Industrial Park, Hawthorne-Stevenage Business Park, Ottawa South Business Park, South Walkley - Albion Industrial Park, across the Rideau River through the Colonnade business park and on to both the Bells Corners and Kanata North Business Parks. It is anticipated that employment in this area will roughly double from today’s level of about 40,000 jobs to about 70,000 by 2021. Given the importance of serving this market, the Study will examine corridors alignment that best serve these areas including stations, integration with surrounding buildings, and pedestrian accesses.

5.0 MAJOR TASKS

The major tasks for this Study are as follows:

5.1 Preparation of Terms of Reference

In accordance with Provincial EA Act requirements, the first step in undertaking this EA is the mandatory preparation and approval of a Terms of Reference (ToR). The ToR will govern the preparation of the environmental assessment for the undertaking. It will set out a framework to guide and focus the study efforts by defining the scope of the proposed undertaking and the process that will be followed to assess its environmental effects, while allowing flexibility to respond to new information and circumstances as they emerge.

The ToR will set out a study Work Plan that:

· Describes the proposed undertaking

· Describes the study area

· Identifies the major tasks to complete the EA assignment

· Identifies the proposed evaluation process

· Presents a list of alternatives to be investigated

· Identifies the various disciplines required to undertake and ensure a thorough approach

· Specifies the allocation of resources (including personnel) assigned to each major task

· Establishes the project schedule and key milestones

· Identifies all project stakeholders

· Sets out the public and agency consultation program

· Defines the membership, roles and relationships of consultation groups

· Identifies the project organization

The ToR will be documented within a written report that outlines the proposed undertaking and work plan as listed above, and will describe and document the public and agency consultation undertaken during the preparation of the ToR as well as the results of the consultation. The ToR will be presented to the City’s Transportation Committee and Council for approval before submitting to the Ministry of the Environment.

5.2 Undertaking of the Environmental Assessment

Following Ministry of the Environment approval of the ToR, the second step in this study is the undertaking of the actual Environmental Assessment. It comprises the following major tasks outlined below.

5.2.1 Confirmation of the Need and Justification for the East-West LRT Corridor

In order to reaffirm the findings of RTES, this EA study will review the need and justification for this corridor. The key components of this exercise include:

· Identify and assess future travel demand including ridership

· Identify current and projected transportation problems and opportunities within the study area

This analysis will be used to identify all reasonable alternatives to the undertaking.

5.2.2 Identify Alternatives to the Undertaking

The EA Act requires that all reasonable alternatives to the undertaking be assessed. The alternatives will be analyzed and evaluated based upon various criteria and indicators developed within the EA to assess the impacts (with consideration to possible mitigation measures) on the environment and to recommend a preferred alternative solution. Possible alternative solutions to the undertaking include:

· Do nothing

· Expand arterial road network

· Expand rapid transit service outside of corridor

5.2.3 Examine and Document Existing Conditions

An inventory of the social, economic, physical and natural environments within the study area will be compiled. The inventory will consider all available background material and where necessary, supplement this information through on-site surveys and/or detailed studies. The inventory must be of sufficient detail to enable the analysis of alternative transportation solutions and alignments.

In general, the inventory will identify and describe those aspects of the environment that could potentially affect, or be affected by, the undertaking. Some of the specific aspects of the environment associated with this project include, but not limited to:

· Integration of LRT with other transportation facilities/modes

· Access to adjacent land uses and integration into urban street environments

· Green spaces and natural areas

· Rideau River and existing creeks such as Greens, Bilberry, Cardinal, Sawmill, Still Water, Graham, Watt’s, and Shirley’s Brook.

· noise and vibration on the adjacent businesses and communities

· Utilities including water, storm and sanitary drainage, hydro, gas, bell, cable, etc.

· Subsurface (geotechnical) conditions

· Heritage and archaeological conditions

· Existing passenger and freight operation

The inventory will be completed for the entire study area so that as alternatives are developed and analyzed, the cumulative effects can be examined.

5.2.4 Develop Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Process

A comprehensive evaluation criteria and methodology to evaluate the various alternative solutions will be developed. The inventory of existing conditions will define the scope of impacts on the environment that will need to be examined.

The ridership projections will be used as input to the selection of the preferred alternative. This EA study will review and refine the ridership projections previously established as part of RTES to account for effect of alignment choice through business parks and residential communities.

Project costing will be a fundamental criterion in the evaluation of alternatives and will be key in the analysis of staging considerations.

The impact of each alternative design on the environment will be thoroughly evaluated. Mitigation measures, and associated implications (e.g. cost of mitigation etc.) to address environmental impacts are to be identified and considered in the evaluation process. The study must clearly identify the initial impacts of each alternative as well as the net post-mitigation impact using quantifiable indicators and measures wherever possible.

5.2.5 Develop Alternative Corridors and Alternative Designs

A number of corridor and alignment options within each section will be considered. The alternatives include, but are not limited to:

· Single track versus twin track

· Existing OCR/Beachburg Subdivision Corridor

· Alexandria Subdivision

· Existing track versus co-locating within RoW

· Hydro Corridors

· Grade separated and non-grade separated facilities

· Kanata North section

· Navan to Innes/Blair section

The various corridor options will be incorporated into the evaluation process to identify the recommended solution. A range of technology options will also be considered. These include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), electric Light Rail Transit (LRT), Use/Expansion of DMU fleet currently in use for the Pilot Project, and combinations thereof.

During the determination of the technology options, all physical and operating vehicle characteristics will be identified. This data will be incorporated into the evaluation process as appropriate and suited in developing alternative functional designs.

5.2.6 Develop a Recommended Plan

The alternative designs developed in Task 5.2.5 above, will be assessed and evaluated as to their affects on the natural, social, urban, economic and transportation environments. To ensure that all of the impacts are identified, the necessary investigations such as: noise, air quality, vibration, heritage and archaeological, natural areas and wildlife habitats, stormwater management, geotechnical, traffic impacts, accessibility and safety, urban and landscape design, property impacts and any other research that would be required to properly define the cumulative effects of the facility will be carried out.

The alternatives will be compared to each other with the ultimate goal of determining a recommended design. Following the evaluation of alternatives and determining all necessary mitigation measures to minimize any adverse impacts, a recommended design will be prepared and the results will be presented at a Public Open House.

Upon receipt and incorporation of public feedback, the recommended plan will then be developed to a sufficient level of detail to produce a functional design plan that is adequate for submissions for project approvals and to establish a complete scope of work, baseline budget and implementation schedules for the entire project. The recommended plan will include a centre-line, horizontal alignment, cross section, vertical profile, station locations, park and ride locations, grade separations/bridges structure general arrangement plans, maintenance and control facilities requirements as well as property envelope and preliminary cost estimates (WBS format).

The Recommended Plan will clearly identify and set out the requirements and timing for all subsequent approvals required to proceed with the construction phase of the project. The Recommended Plan will be presented to Transportation Committee and Council for approval.

5.2.7 Environmental Assessment Report

The consultant will prepare an Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) to document the entire study process including the Recommended Plan, all interim reports developed during the course of the study, and Council decision.

The EAR will be submitted to the provincial Ministry of the Environment for approval. At the same time the EAR will be placed on public record for the required 30-day review period.

6.0 CONSULTATION PROGRAM

Consultation with the public, stakeholders, and public agencies is an integral component of this study. A detailed consultation program for the EA will be developed as part of the ToR and will be approved by City Council prior to submission to the Ministry of the Environment.

In general terms, the consultation program will consist of meetings with stakeholders, individually and through Consultation Groups, and meetings with the general public through Public Open Houses. Consultation Groups will meet with the Study Team at key stages to review and comment on specific issues, the study progress, and findings.

6.1 Notifications

Formal notifications of the Study Commencement, Submission of the ToR (to the Ministry), all Public Open Houses, and Submission of the Environmental Assessment Report (to the Ministry) will primarily be by advertisements in daily newspapers (The Ottawa Citizen, The Ottawa Sun, Le Droit), and in community papers where appropriate. Flyers will also be distributed on OC Transpo buses, O-Train, at Sales and Information Centres, and at City Client Service Centres. Electronic notification will be via the project website on the City’s web portal.

6.2 Project Web Page

A Project Information Web Page for this EA Study will be established on the City’s external web portal. The purpose of the Web Page will be to inform the public of the study purpose, process and schedule; the study progress and interim findings; upcoming study meetings or activities; and to provide a point of access for public consultation and feedback.

6.3 Frequently Asked Questions Document

To assist in providing information to the public, a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) document will be prepared to provide answers to commonly raised questions. The initial FAQ document will be established early in the study process (during the preparation of the ToR) and will be updated regularly.

6.4 Public Open Houses

Another opportunity for consultation with the general public is through Public Open House (POH) meetings occurring at four key points during the course of the study. The POHs will be held to present and obtain feedback on: the Draft ToR; existing conditions and alternative solutions; the preferred solution and alternative design concepts, and the recommended plan. Due to the large study area, multiple Open House sessions may be required. The Study Team will be available to explain information presented and answer questions. A “Project Update Newsletter” which summarizes the information at each POH will be made available for distribution. In addition, a summary report to document the public feedback will also be prepared following each POH.

6.5 Consultation Groups

To expand consultation beyond the Public Open Houses, two consultation groups will be formed. It will also be necessary to meet with individual groups such as those in the business sector – depending on the issues.

(i) Public Consultation Group (PCG)

The PCG will enable community/special group representatives to provide direct input to the study, commenting on local issues and concerns. The PCG will meet at key stages in the study to review findings and provide input.

This corridor spans approximately 47 km over a broad geographic area, encompassing many community groups. There are 11 wards adjacent to the East-West LRT corridor (Figure 4). These 11 wards are:

FIGURE 4: WARD MAP

19 Cumberland

2 Innes

11 Beacon Hill-Cyrville

10 Gloucester-Southgate

18 Alta Vista

16 Capital

3 Bell-South Nepean

9 Knoxdale-Merivale

8 Baseline

7 Bay

4 Kanata

There are two different approaches to form the PCG:

Approach 1: use the common practice of having a public consultation group with one representative from each community association that is adjacent to the corridor. In this case, the consultation group will be in excess of 60 members, which becomes exceedingly difficult to coordinate and administrate. This will necessitate splitting the group into three (3) area-based consultation groups.

Approach 2: identify 2 representatives from each of the wards that are adjacent to the East-West LRT corridor to be a member of this group. This will be done in consultation with each Ward Councillor.

In both approaches, the PCG will also be augmented with representation from the following groups:

· City of Ottawa

o Pedestrian & Public Transit Advisory Committee

o Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee

o Accessibility Advisory Committee

o Environmental Advisory Committee

o Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee

o Arts, Heritage and Cultural Advisory Committee

· Transport 2000

· Federation of Citizens Association

Other stakeholder groups with interests in pedestrian, cycling, transit, mobility impaired, and women’s safety issues will be invited to participate on the PCG as well. The PCG will meet at key stages in the study as per the approved TOR consultation program.

(ii) Agency Consultation Group (ACG)

An Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will be formed from government/public agencies to address the full range of technical issues and to comment on all of the special studies required to fully assess the various alternatives and to ensure that the City is following the correct procedures, legislation and addressing appropriate policies. ACG members will include, but not be limited to:

· National Capital Commission

· Transport Canada

· Fisheries and Oceans Canada

· Infrastructure Canada

· PWGSC – Investment Management Directorate

· Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

· Ontario Ministry of the Environment

· Ontario Ministry of Transportation

· Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal

· City’s Transportation, Utilities, and Public Works Department

· City’s Planning and Development Department

· City’s Corporate Services Department

- Real Property Asset Management

· City’s Emergency and Protective Services

- Fire Services

- Police Services

· Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

· Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

· South Nation River Conservation Authority

· Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

· Canadian National Rail (CNR)

· Ottawa Central Railway (OCR)

· VIA Rail

The exact membership of the ACG will be set out in the ToR. Similar to the PCG, ACG will meet at key stages throughout the study in accordance with the approved ToR consultation program.

7.0 Project Administration

7.1 Project Timing and Coordination

The proposed timing of this study will be approximately 20 months. This schedule reflects the scope and complexity of the issues to be examined and accommodates mandatory approval periods. The EA Study process shall take into consideration any information including analysis and preliminary findings of concurrent transportation, development and infrastructure projects that could influence the direction and/or conclusions of the Study including the EAs for the North/South Corridor LRT and Innes/Walkley Connection Projects.

7.2 Background Material

Relevant background material will be used to expedite this EA Study. This material include:

· City of Ottawa Official Plan (OP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP), 2003

· Rapid Transit Expansion Study (RTES) – June 2003

· Ottawa Rapid Transit Expansion Program (ORTEP) Implementation Strategy – July 2003

· Ottawa Light Rail Extensions, Colonnade Business Park to the Kanata North Business Park Conceptual Feasibility Study, McCormick Rankin Corp, March 2001

· Light Rail in Ottawa-Carleton – Final Phase I Report – KPMG, 27 August 1998

· RMOC "Rapid Transit" Working Paper for the 1997 Transportation Master Plan, Dillon Consulting

· RMOC "Commuter Rail" Working Paper for the 1997 Transportation Master Plan, Dillon Consulting

· Southwest Transitway Extension – Baseline to Station to Strandherd Drive, Environmental Assessment, McCormick Rankin Corp, December 1997

· Southeast Transitway Functional Design - Phase 3 from Billings Bridge Station to Hunt Club Road

· RMOC Light Rail Pilot Project Environmental Assessment – Dillon Consulting, August 1999

· West Urban Community Transit Integration Environmental Assessment Report, Delcan, Sept. 1996

· RMOC Blackburn Hamlet By-Pass Environmental Assessment, Delcan, 1999

· RMOC Cumberland Bus Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment, Delcan, 1999

· City of Ottawa Innes/Walkley Connection Environmental Assessment, NCE, initiated in Jan. 2004

· March Road EA from Hwy 417 to Dunrobin Rd., Dillon, 1994

· MTO Highway 417 Preliminary Design & Environmental Assessment Study, from Hwy 416 to Anderson Road (ongoing)

· MTO Highway 417 from Hwy 416 to Hwy 7, Preliminary Design Study, 2003

· Relevant Community Design Plans – East Urban Community, Phase 1 – ongoing and Kanata West Concept Plan, 2000

· NCC Greenbelt Master Plan, 1996

· NCC Ecological Analysis of the Greenbelt, Oct. 1991

· Urban Natural Features Study – ongoing, expected completion Spring 2004

· Sawmill Creek Sub-watershed Study Update, CH2M Hill Consulting, May 2003

· Lower Rideau Watershed Strategy – Phase II, ongoing, expected completion mid 2004

· Shirley’s Brook, Watts Creek Subwatershed Study, Dillon, September 1999

· Greater Shirley’s Brook, Constance Creek Management Plan (draft), Dec. 2003

· Graham Creek Rehabilitation Plan, Rideau River Conservation Authority

· McEwan Creek Water Quality and Erosion Study, Rideau River Conservation Authority, Feb. 2001

· Kanata North Environmental/Stormwater Management Plan, CH2M Hill Consulting, Feb. 2001

· Other water, wastewater and storm water management studies

· Current and past development applications and associated studies (e.g. traffic and noise)

· Property ownership, easements and rights-of-way information

7.3 Deliverables

The deliverables for the study include:

· Provincial Environmental Assessment Study Terms of Reference (ToR) Report

· Federal Cumulative Impacts Design and Interim Reports, including the Federal EA checklist