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August 11, 2011
The St. Clair
Region Conservation Authority and the Township of St. Clair opened the
Guthrie Park Shore Protection Project on Thursday.
The Guthrie Park
Shore Protection Project started in 2008 and has involved 700 metres of
new shore protection. The new armour stone and sloped rip rap replaces a
failing steel sheet pile wall.
“We always look for
opportunities to add value to a project – and that is what we did here.
Not only is the shoreline protected but by working with the project
engineer, St. Clair Township and the provincial and federal governments,
we made sure the project also benefitted the River,” Andy Bruziewicz,
chair of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said.
A unique feature of
the shore protection is the creation of shoreline habitat pods to
address one of the Beneficial Use Impairments identified in the St.
Clair River Remedial Action Plan. “The water-filled gaps in the large
armour stone and the habitat pods make this a better place for fish and
wildlife,” Bruziewicz explained.
Pat Davidson, MP
for Sarnia Lambton attended to speak about the federal government’s role
with this project. “This is part of the federal government’s support for
efforts to delist the St. Clair River as an Area of Concern. The
installation of this riverbank protection will help to contribute to a
safe and healthy watershed,” said Pat Davidson, MP for Sarnia-Lambton.
Maria Van Bommel,
MPP for Lambton-Kent Middlesex spoke on the efforts of the provincial
government to ensure a safe and healthy Ontario by investing in projects
such as this that protect land and improve water quality and wildlife
habitat.
Guthrie Park lies
adjacent to the Shell’s Sarnia Manufacturing Centre. Shell donated funds
to construct a stone fountain and garden. “We wanted to contribute to
this great park,” Kerry Margetts, General Manager of the Shell’s SMC.
“We hope the fountain is enjoyed by visitors to Guthrie Park.”
“This is a great
project for our municipality,” explained Steve Arnold, Mayor of St.
Clair Township. “We are blessed with a beautiful water front. With the
new shore protection and Fountain, it serves as an excellent gateway
into St. Clair Township.”
This project was
coordinated by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and is funded
through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources - Water and Erosion
Control lnfrastructure Grant; Environment Canada - Great Lakes
Sustainability Fund; Ontario Ministry of Environment - Canada-Ontario
Agreement; FedDev Ontario - Community Adjustment Fund; and the Township
of St. Clair. Approximately $2.5 million have been invested to improve
this shoreline.
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