PEER REVIEW & EXPERT WITNESS LITIGATION

 

Ms. Sullivan has been an ‘expert witness’ for various litigation on shoreline issues related to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the  previous and recent CA Act (April 1, 2024) and Ontario Regulation 41/24 (Feb.16, 2024). Various litigation cases have focused on the three Natural Hazards of Flooding, Erosion and Dynamic Beach Hazards for Lake Systems.

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Ms. Sullivan has provided Expert Witness services and testimony for the implementation of Natural Hazard Policy for River Hazards under the Natural Hazards Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the CA Act (April 1, 2024) and Ontario Regulation 41/24 (Feb.16, 2024).

 

An expert witness, on several First Nations Without Prejudice Teams for the Technical Assessment of River Erosion related litigation cases along various Rivers and Inland Lake systems.

 

Ms. Sullivan has provided peer review for numerous Townships and Conservation Authorities across the province on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake Huron. The services were related to natural hazards; Flooding, Erosion and Dynamic Beaches. Ms. Sullivan has provided peer review services for other agencies (e.g. MNRF, DFO, Private Landowner groups/Rate Payers Associations, Municipal and Regional government agencies).​​​

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Peer Review and assessments related to Municipal  Provincial Policy requirements, Official Plans, By-Laws for the implementation of the Natural Hazards (i.e. Flooding, Erosion and Dynamic Beach).

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The peer review services typically involve  the impacts on the Flooding, Erosion and Dynamic Beach Natural Hazards occurring along the shoreline. An assessment of the particular Official Plans (Upper and Lower Tier Municipalities and Regional Governments), Zoning By-laws, CA Act & Ontario Regulation #41/24, Provincial Planning issues, PPS and Technical Guides (review of the key aspects of addressing the hazards, flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches, the slope stability assessment, interpretation of the policy and resulting setbacks), impacting the coastal aspects of the project. The peer reviews provide specific project and site recommendations on the application of the natural hazards adherence to the policy and technical requirements with respect to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) requirements and the CA Act, the Ontario Regulation #41/24. Site inspection and review of existing shoreline structure conditions, is also carried out along with considering maintenance and continuing monitoring program recommendations.

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TECHNICAL REVIEW & ASSESSMENT

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Coastal Engineering and Hazard Management Assessments (Flooding, Erosion and Dynamic Beach) for numerous private shoreline sites along the Great Lakes, Large and Small Inland Lakes (e.g., Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe, etc.). Site and structure assessments, evaluations, reports, construction works inspection and management, recommendations on approaches to satisfy the various approval agencies (e.g. Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Transport Canada (TC), local Conservation Authorities (CA), Municipalities & Townships) have been carried out.  A variety of sites conditions involve coastal; erosion processes, flooding, dynamic beach, slope stability issues, design of shoreline structures, assessment of existing shoreline structures, dredging, docking and boathouse construction and approvals. 

 

Conducts numerous assessments of shoreline structures throughout the province; reviewed life expectancy of the structures, make recommendations for maintenance, repairs and/or reconstruction of structures. Associated liabilities (risk of Failure), risk management options and costing are routinely carried out throughout these assessments. Ms. Sullivan has been project manager for numerous shoreline construction projects over she/her 40 year career as a coastal engineer.

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Reviewed numerous development applications, block plans, master drainage plans, permit violations, construction and fill applications, determined erosion, flooding, dynamic beach and slope stability requirements to conform with federal, provincial and municipal legislation.

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Ms. Sullivan was the project manager for the Lafontaine Park project.  In conjunction with Coldwater Consulting Ltd. and NRSI Inc. the next phase of the project was completed and received approval for a Class EA. Determination of the approval requirements, feasibility for the possible options and opportunities for improvement to the water quality and recreational swimming at the park was the main focus of the study. Project Manager and conducting the final agency approval process for this project.  The public has been involved throughout the development of various Phases of the project.

 

Provided an initial coastal engineering assessment and recommendations for the development of a Master Plan for Lafontaine Beach Park on Lake Huron, in the Township of Tiny. As part of the multi-disciplinary design team; identify the Dynamic Beach hazards setback and assist the

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Ms. Sullivan carried out the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Shoreline Inspection and Inventory Assessment: Structural Assessment Version 1.2 Final Report (Nov 2014) as part of the CVC LOISS Assessment of Coastal Engineering Structures Report. Just over 6 km of the CVC shoreline was assessed; consisting of conducting field investigations and evaluations, shoreline characterization, maintenance and monitoring priorities. She developed an evaluation criteria and a ranking system, evaluating site conditions and characteristics of the shoreline and protection works was carried out.  Priority sites were identified and ranked for {1-Risk of Damage, 2-Strucutre Failure, 3-Personal Safety, 4- Material Condition 5- Environmental Considerations). Recommendations for the future restoration/rehabilitation opportunities and future shoreline construction were also made.

 

Conducted evaluations of Shoreline Structures for The Town of Oakville in 2005-06 and again in 2011-12.  The project consisted of conducting field investigations and evaluations, shoreline characterization, development of evaluation criteria and ranking system, evaluation of current conditions and characteristics of the shoreline and protection works.  Priority sites were identified which will need immediate protection works, potential recommendations for the shoreline construction and rehabilitation projects, which will meet the requirements of the various agencies. Project costs were estimated for the high priority sites that will need immediate attention.  Development of an evaluation scale for Risk of Damage, Personal Safety, Material Condition, Material performance, and Environmental Factors was carried out.  Based on the assessment of the conditions and the evaluation scale, the sites were prioritized outlining; immediate or potential construction/rehabilitation, and/or monitoring.  The data was compiled into a GIS-based database containing the inventory as well as a summary of the existing conditions

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Ms. Sullivan provided assistance as the Adaptive Management Coordinator to the International Joint Commission (IJC) for the Upper Great Lakes Study. This involved review of various aspects of the Adaptive Management Technical Working Group (AMTWG) which focused on many aspects of the Upper Great Lakes Study; Elements of AM Strategy, Risk Evaluation & Plausibility analysis for future scenario’s (e.g. climate change models, Stochastic, Paleo etc.), Coping Zones, Multi-lake Regulation, Governance & Institutional Analysis, Outreach, and AM Findings and Recommendations. She assisted the AMTWG in review of documentation to support the AM areas of study and compiled their findings and recommendations to the Study Board for the Outreach Section of the Study Board Report. She also provided assistance to the Coastal Technical Working Group, coping zone, monitoring and Performance Indicator reports.

​ design team in prioritizing areas for the development of the waterfront plan while maintain the protection of the natural features of the park.

 

Ms. Sullivan in conjunction with Coldwater Consulting Ltd., carried out a study for the MNR for Lake Ontario and The St. Lawrence River shorelines. The IJC study which recommended a new regulation plan (referred to as Plan 2007) and this was the basis for the MNR study. The proposed IJC approach was examined and the existing Ontario policy instruments, programs and their effectiveness along with the implications of a long-term monitoring and adaptive management program, the shoreline management and shoreline policy issues and how they affect the province of Ontario were reviewed.

 

The study also reviewed current shoreline practices and made further recommendations on possible approaches on how the Province can assist in addressing the IJC development of an adaptive management and monitoring program.  The study included a review and identification of issues from policy/planning, science/research and integration/government perspectives and identified approaches which could be considered to support the future development of an integrated adaptive management and monitoring approach for Lake Ontario and The St. Lawrence River shorelines.

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT

 

Project management of numerous coastal, river and geotechnical engineering construction projects, programs and studies. Determined project objectives, constraints, identify required areas of expertise. Build a team of experts to address all of the review agency concerns and issues with new development.  Coordinate the different disciplines; develop designs, technical standards, procedures and evaluation criteria with the team depending on the specific needs of the client.