Learn about past and present sediment cleanup plans at the site

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and partners on the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan(NRRAP) program will host a public information session on past and present sediment cleanup plans for a portion of Lyons Creek. Members of the community are invited to attend on May 30, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the International Flatwater Centre in Welland. Registration is required to attend.

The Lyons Creek East (LCE) site is located east of the Welland Canal and is a tributary of the Welland River which eventually flows into the Niagara River. A portion of LCE is contaminated with a historical source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and is the last remaining contaminated sediment site within the Canadian side of the Niagara River Area of Concern, identified for cleanup as part of the NRRAP.

In 2008, a monitored natural recovery approach with administrative controls was selected to manage the contaminated sediments at LCE. The approach was chosen because scientific evidence showed ecological and human health risks were low and it would have the least impact on the natural environment. Contaminated sediments were expected to be buried by cleaner sediment over time; however, long-term monitoring results indicate that natural recovery has not progressed as expected in some areas of the creek.

Scientists from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks involved in monitoring the area are recommending that a more active remediation approach is needed, which may involve sediment removal, capping, or a combination of techniques. Throughout the next year, NRRAP partners will conduct additional studies to determine potential remediation options and continue to engage with the community to support future decision-making. The information session marks the beginning of this process.

Community members interested in this project are encouraged to attend the information session on May 30. Registration is required to attend and light refreshments will be provided.

To learn more about the Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup project, the upcoming information session, or to submit online comments and questions, please visit the NPCA’s engagement platform, Get Involved NPCA.

For more info on the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan, including other efforts to improve water quality and ecosystem health: niagarariver.ca

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About the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (RAP): The Niagara River was identified as one of 43 Great Lakes’ Areas of Concern in the late 1980s due to water quality and habitat problems. The Niagara River RAP program brings together various organizations to improve the river’s water quality and ecosystem health through implementing targeted monitoring and/or restoration efforts. The goal of RAP is to restore up to 14 environmental challenges to remove the Niagara River from the list of Areas of Concern.

About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority: The NPCA is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With more than 63 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.

The NPCA has been an active participant in the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (NRRAP) initiative since its inception in the late 1980s and has completed many activities in the watershed toward the improvement of the Niagara River ecosystem. Since 1999, the NPCA has taken an active leadership role and became the host organization for administering and coordinating the activities of the NRRAP initiative, including actions related to the Lyons Creek East contaminated sediment site.

The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.