Third crossing open houses on environmental work take place this week
The City of Kingston’s Third Crossing Team has already begun their public consultation regarding the federal environmental assessment of the project, and will continue the consultation with two open houses being held this week.
The environmental assessment, known as the Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA), is currently posted for the public to review on the City’s Third Crossing and Get Involved websites. It will remain available for members of the public to review and provide input until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. To view the DIA, click here.
“As part of the 30 day engagement we are also hosting two open houses – one on the east and one on the west shore of the Cataraqui River,” the Third Crossing Team said in a press release on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.
“At these open houses you can expect to connect with members of the project team on elements like storm water management, consideration of the wildlife in the area, how we’re going to construct the bridge and our mitigation plans, to name a few.” The Team has already begun implementing turtle protection measures, much of which can be seen in this video produced by SkEye Stream.
Both of the open houses are open for members of the public to drop in any time from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The open houses will take place:
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (east shore) at LaSalle Secondary School (773 Highway 15)
- Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019 (west shore) at LCVI Secondary School (153 Van Order Drive)
According to the Third Crossing team, the DIA is “the most intensive for of review for the regulatory process.”
“This comprehensive analysis shows the environmental considerations, impacts and proposed mitigation strategies for the project,” the Team said. “After consultation on the DIA, the City will compile the questions and comments received into a report, which will be submitted along for review and approval by federal departments and agencies.”
Those agencies are:
- Parks Canada
- Transport Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment
- Climate Change Cananda
Residents will be able to see the public consultation review on the Third Crossing project website, and on the City’s Get Involved website.