Adaptive Shoreline Management and Class EA Assessments
Carried out the Draft Port Darlington Shoreline & Flood Damage Centre Study (2018) for Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA). An original draft study was written in 2004, by Aqua Solutions which assessed shoreline characteristics, the type and degree of hazards (flooding, erosion, dynamic beach along Lake Ontario & Mouth of Creeks). An evaluation ranking system was developed; a field evaluation of current conditions and characteristics of the shoreline was also conducted. The high priority sections of the shoreline were identified, planning and policy recommendations were made on how to deal with these hazard sections along the shoreline. Existing development that is within the Hazardous areas were evaluated and recommendations were made following the Provincial Policy Technical Guidelines. Planning options were proposed on possible directions, which CLOCA and Municipality could take for future and existing development proposals within the high priority hazard areas. Emergency evacuation routes were also recommended in accordance with Provincial Recommendations. The report has been updated, incorporating updated mapping provided by CLOCA with regard to; erosion protection considerations, reviewed and updated hazard assessments and recommendations, climate change, recent historic water levels, sediment transport and current provincial policy direction. The Draft Policy and Planning Report recommendations have been accepted by the CLOCA board and Municipal council. W.F. Baird and Associates was a sub consultant team member and carried out the assessment of the shoreline conditions and development Shore Protection Concepts for the Study (Sept 2019).
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 with Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc., Aqua Solutions 5 Inc. identified the Dynamic Beach hazards setback and assist the 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 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.
In conjunction with Consulting Team members (Dr. R. Davidson-Arnott, Planning Solutions Inc., Terraprobe, & Dr. R. Mulligan) carried out recommendations for the DRAFT Updating of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Shoreline Management Plan.
Conduct Municipal Class Environmental Assessments for various projects from river and shoreline flooding and erosion projects to proposed road realignments, construction and reconstruction projects. Ms Sullivan was the Project Manager, which involved the coordination of the coastal, environmental, geotechnical, landscape architect, fluvial geomorphology and civil engineering aspects of various projects, preparation of documentation, (E.g., Lafontaine Beach, Cooksville and Mimico Creek, City of Mississauga, 30th Side Road, Town of Innisfil, numerous TRCA river and shoreline erosion sites).
A member of the Greenwood Conservation Area Advisory Committee headed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and The Town of Ajax (TOA) in developing a Management Plan for the Conservation Area. The committee was concerned with ensuring the protection of the environment is the number one priority while working with the community to find a balance to satisfy the various public use needs. A Management Plan was developed for the area by the Committee in conjunction with the TRCA and TOA staff.
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One of the key aspects of the development of the Management Plan was the creation of a Trail System for the Park which was consistent with the Town of Ajax Vision 2020 Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan and the Trans Canada Trail System which was being developed at the same time. The type of uses for the trail system were reviewed in detail (e.g., handicapped access, passive use [natural trails, hiking paths, bird watching] vs. active use [paved trails, biking, roller blading, horseback riding])
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Ms. Sullivan was involved in the committee which worked on the details of the Trail system and ground proofed possible alternatives. Off dog leash areas were assessed in great detail with appropriate public trail areas, access points, parking for trails etc.
A member of the Trans Canada Trail Task Force which developed a route for the Trail in Durham Region. The trail system coved the area from the Town of Uxbridge, south, all the way to Lake Ontario (out letting to the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail System in Ajax). Ms. Sullivan and the team members carried out the following:
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Assessed and recommend potential trail options for the wide variety of areas from the northern reaches of the boundary in the Oakridge’s Moraine to the southern boundary of the Town of Ajax and the Lake Ontario shoreline.
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Carried out a full assessment of the proposed trail systems which consisted of review of trail requirements for the various types of trails depending on the areas encountered (biking, walking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking etc.)
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Identification of areas of concern not only from an environmental protection perspective but also from a public safety and use/access perspective were made. There were areas where trails needed to rerouted because of public safety issues and concerns.
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The proposed trails were ground proofed personally with the team members.
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Worked in partnership with the Town of Ajax Staff in recommendations for finalization of the details of the development of their Trail System for Vision 2020.
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Specific details of each of the trails were assessed, uses and phasing was recommended for each of the individual areas.
Assessed Environmental, Planning and Engineering issues associated with an urban development proposal for the community of Greenwood. Prepared detailed engineering (i.e. assessment of specific slope stability, erosion setbacks, flooding, groundwater, surface water, and storm water management issues) and planning reports, worked with and made numerous presentations to the Community of Greenwood Residents, Developer, Municipal and Region of Durham Staff and Council. Specific direction, recommendations were provided and presented to the Region of Durham and the Regional Development Board. Incorporated environmental, technical and planning issues into the proposal addressing the key issues of the community which outlined opportunities and solutions for the various parties involved.
Conducted a needs assessment and local community survey to further assess the future development direction for the Community of Greenwood. Engineering, growth management, recreational needs and environmental issues of the community were reviewed. Reports and formal presentations to the City of Pickering resulted in the formation of a Technical
Working Group and the initiation of a Growth Management Study by the City of Pickering. In order to address the needs of both the developer and the community a Facilitated Growth Management Workshop was held. Suggested alternatives were presented and discussed on behalf of the Community, consensus was agreed upon and various options are under consideration by the City of Pickering for future planning Policy in the area.
Assessment of the physical and environmental needs for numerous private and public projects along rivers and coastal shorelines. Provide advice on the physical implications to the environment, identified potential problem areas, recommended environmental structure design alternatives and methods for construction using best management practices in order to minimize any environmental impacts and enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat opportunities. Participated in numerous multi-disciplinary teams where river and coastal shoreline pilot projects were proposed to restore and rehabilitate sites to improve the ecosystem.
Review committee member for the development of Provincial Natural Heritage Policy and Technical Guidelines. These documents encompass environmental and natural heritage issues (i.e., natural corridors, wetlands, woodlands, endangered and threatened species, fish and wildlife habitat). Multi-disciplinary team member which drafted the Significant Ravines, River Valley Corridors, and Shorelines of Lakes sections of the Natural Heritage Provincial Technical Manuals.
With Terraprobe Inc. prepared environmental research and approaches for MNRF (currently NDMNRF): soil bioengineering and biotechnical stabilization methods for the Provincial Technical Guides on Geotechnical Principles of Slope Stability and River Systems.