Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment
The Schneider and Shoemaker creeks are currently lined with concrete where the rivers meet. During heavy rains, creeks spill over and flood areas around it, which creates a risk to public safety.
We will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) to plan a workable design solution for this issue.
As part of the EA, we will consider environmental risks and find ways to avoid or reduce impacts. Widening and naturalizing the creek will provide greater public safety. It will also create region-wide environmental benefits.
This includes improving water quality in Schneider Creek and the Grand River downstream. The creek would also have better habitat for fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The EA and any potential improvement works are a result of a culmination of previous studies in the area.
If you have any questions or comments about this project, please contact the project team.
Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund
This initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada. For more information about this partnership between the City of Kitchener and the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, visit kitchener.ca/Stormwater
The Schneider and Shoemaker creeks are currently lined with concrete where the rivers meet. During heavy rains, creeks spill over and flood areas around it, which creates a risk to public safety.
We will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) to plan a workable design solution for this issue.
As part of the EA, we will consider environmental risks and find ways to avoid or reduce impacts. Widening and naturalizing the creek will provide greater public safety. It will also create region-wide environmental benefits.
This includes improving water quality in Schneider Creek and the Grand River downstream. The creek would also have better habitat for fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The EA and any potential improvement works are a result of a culmination of previous studies in the area.
If you have any questions or comments about this project, please contact the project team.
Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund
This initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada. For more information about this partnership between the City of Kitchener and the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, visit kitchener.ca/Stormwater
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Notice of commencement and public information centre
Share Notice of commencement and public information centre on Facebook Share Notice of commencement and public information centre on Twitter Share Notice of commencement and public information centre on Linkedin Email Notice of commencement and public information centre linkSchneider and Shoemaker Creeks are currently lined with concrete where they meet, and the floodplain at this location has expanded past the creek boundaries. This affects adjacent properties and presents a potential risk to public safety.
The City of Kitchener is planning to commence a Class Environmental Assessment (EA), to fully review the environmental risks of this area, and present design options to mitigate those risks. Expanding and naturalizing the creek boundaries to accommodate the flows would provide greater protection, and environmental benefits such as flood mitigation and natural habitat. In addition, this project will look at options for the replacement of the concrete channel with a wider natural channel, which would improve the floodplain by reducing its limits, thereby minimizing potential damage as a result of flooding from larger storm events.
Stantec Consulting Ltd. will be acting as the City of Kitchener’s engineering consultant for the project.
Planning Process
Reducing the environmental effects of our projects and operations is important to us. The planning of this project will follow a Schedule “C” Municipal Class EA, established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and is a result of previous studies in the area.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
We’d like to hear from you
Your input is important to us. We invite you to join our upcoming Public Information Centre to learn more about the project, ask our team questions, and provide feedback. Listening to, and learning from, Indigenous Nations and organizations, residents, businesses, government agencies, and interest groups is part of the process.
Please join us at an upcoming public information centre:
April 13, 2023
6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Rockway Golf Course (625 Rockway Drive, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3B5)
Contacts
If you would like to get email updates about this project, please add your email to the Stay Informed box and click 'Subscribe'.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about the project, provide comments, or have any accessibility requests:
Chris Nechacov, C.E.T.
Design & Construction Project Manager
City of Kitchener
Tel: 519-741-2200
Email: schneidercreekea@kitchener.ca
Steve Brown, MBA, P.Eng
Project Manager
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Tel: 519-585-7446
Email: schneidercreekea@stantec.com
Follow Project
Lifecycle
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Notice of study commencement
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageWe are notifying the public and key stakeholders about this study.
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First Public Engagement Meeting
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageCome and learn about the project, ask questions, and share your ideas and considerations that should be taken into account during the development of design alternatives.
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Under Review
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageWe are evaluating and reviewing public feedback from the first public information centre.
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Second Public Engagement Meeting
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageThe design alternatives will be presented and discussed. Come and learn about how the alternatives will address impacts to environment and mitigation measures, and ask questions or share ideas about the evaluation criteria and results.
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Under review
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageWe are evaluating and reviewing public feedback from the second public information centre.
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Third Public Engagement Meeting
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageThe preferred alternative design will be presented and discussed. Come and learn about how the preferred alternative was selected and how comments have been addressed.
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Under review
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment has finished this stageWe are evaluating and reviewing public feedback from the third public information centre.
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Report published
Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Assessment is currently at this stageThe final report is published and the 30-day public comment period has begun
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Study complete
this is an upcoming stage for Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental AssessmentThe public comment period has ended and the study is complete. The outcomes are documented on this page. We are notifying the public and stakeholders of the project's completion.
Key Dates
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May 27 2024
Documents
- Public Information Centre #3 Summary (41.9 MB) (pdf)
- Schneider and Shoemaker Creek Naturalization Environmental Study Report (14 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix A Summary of Natural Features Report (724 KB) (pdf)
- Appendix B Tree Management Plan (17.4 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix C Heritage Check List (13.6 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix D Stage 1 Archeological Assessment (6.04 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix E Stage 2 Archeological Assessment (12.4 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix F Assessment of Past Uses (7.14 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix G Phase 2 Evaluation of Alternatives (1.23 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix H Phase 3 Evaluation of Alternatives (1.79 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix I Consultation Materials (88.9 MB) (pdf)
FAQs
- Will a pathway/park be built along the creek?
- Will you retain existing trees?
- The concrete is in good shape and I haven't experienced flooding, so why is this project happening?
- Will Shoemaker creek be brought aboveground at the Schneider plant?
- Will this project close nearby roads?
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Public Information Centre #1 Questions
- Will the concrete be removed? What would it be replaced with?
- Why would you replace the concrete?
- How will this project address invasive / native species?
- Will existing trees be retained?
- Why naturalize the creek now?
- How will the City pay for the project?
- How will decisions be made and how will resident input be considered?
- Why did residents outside of this neighbourhood receive project letters?
- How will existing litter in the area be addressed and how could the City prevent littering on the new naturalized creek?
- What is the timeline of the project?
- How will residents be notified of alternative design concepts?
- How long will the Environmental Assessment last? What is the purpose of an Environmental Assessment?
- Will the City add additional recreational spaces near the project area?
- Will the City consider the upstream and downstream areas or remove the culvert under an adjacent private property?
- What will the temporary impacts as a result of construction be?
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-741-2345 Email SchneiderCreekEA@kitchener.ca -
Phone 519-741-2345 Email erin.eldridge@kitchener.ca -
Phone 519-585-7446 Email schneidercreekea@stantec.com -
Phone 343-998-2605 Email schneidercreekea@stantec.com
Free landscaping consultation
Our partner Reep Green Solutions can help you beautify your yard while reducing runoff to Schneider Creek. Find out if you qualify for a free, on-site consultation with a landscape designer. Visit Rain Smart Neighbourhoods reepgreen.ca/rain-smart
Notice of collection
All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of the available public record unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.