MTO Environmental Assessment Process

Transcription

1 MTO Environmental Assessment Process Wolfe Island Ferry Ministry of Transportation Eastern Region September 10, 2015 Photo by Wayne Heiber

2 Purpose of Today s Meeting Provide an overview of the Provincial Class Environmental Assessment process for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO Class EA), in particular the Wolfe Island Ferry Preliminary Design and EA Study 2

3 Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) R.S.O. 1990, c.e.18 Applies to activities of public bodies, municipalities, others as specified (ie. MTO) Defines environment as: air, land, water plant and animal life including human life the social, economic and cultural conditions that influence the life of humans or a community buildings, structures, machines, or other device or thing made by humans 3

4 MTO Class EA MTO follows the EAA for new freeways For all other undertakings MTO follows the MTO Class EA Class Environmental Assessments Principle based process approved by Minister of Environment under the EA Act Goal of all projects and activities covered under the MTO Class EA is to provide a safe and effective transportation system while avoiding or minimizing negative environmental effects 4

5 Class EA principles Underlying principles include: Transportation engineering principles Environmental protection principles External consultation principles Evaluation principles that are intended to achieve the best overall balance of these principles Documentation principles Bump-up principles Environmental clearance principles 5

6 Class EA - Groups Group A : New Provincial Highways and Freeways, Transit ways and Ferry Boat Connections/Docks/Terminals Projects involve a significant range of alternatives for planning and preliminary design and detail design Projects are complex Projects require a comprehensive EA Process e.g. new ferry dock and route would be a Group A project Group B : Major Improvements to Existing Provincial Transportation Facilities Through Increase in Traffic Capacity Projects involve fewer alternatives for planning and preliminary design and detail design Projects are routine Projects require a less comprehensive EA Process e.g. expanding capacity of the existing ferry service using the same but improved terminals/routes would be a Group B project Group C : Minor Improvements to Existing Provincial Transportation Facilities Group D : Operation, maintenance, administration, misc. 6

7 MTO Class EA Process Stages: Planning completed in 2011(Wolfe Island Planning Study) Preliminary Design Production of Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR)(current stage) Detail Design Production of Design and Construction Report (DCR) (next stage) Implementation/construction Wolfe Island Preliminary Design Study environmental protection activities: Identify environmental constraints to design Develop environmental design concepts Develop environmental mitigation concepts Obtain agreements in principle for formal approvals and permits 7

8 MTO Class EA Process (cont d) The MTO EA evaluation process is based on a number of guiding principles: All relevant factors and alternatives, including transportation engineering and environmental protection, will be given due consideration. The evaluation process must be traceable, replicable, and must be understandable by those who may be affected by the decisions. Public Input is a major component in the process and a requirement under the EA Act 8

9 MTO Class EA Process (cont d) MTO produces a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) for Class EA projects (Group A & B) at the end of Preliminary Design or at the end of a combined preliminary/detail design Part II Order requests possible ( Bump ups ) MOE makes determination of bump-up when requested Projects cleared (by MTO) only if EA process followed and no outstanding bump-ups MTO produces a Design and Construction Report (DCR) at the end of Detail Design if the TESR does not document detail design 9

10 Overview of MTO Class EA Process for MTO Projects We Are Here Planning Preliminary Design Detail Design Review of Transportation Needs Assessment Generate and Assess Planning Alternatives Evaluate and Select Preferred Planning Alternatives Develop Preferred Planning Alternative Generate and Assess Preliminary Design Alternatives Evaluate and Select Preferred Preliminary Design Alternatives Develop Preferred Preliminary Design Alternatives Generate and Assess Detail Design Alternatives Evaluate and select Detail Design Alternatives Develop Preferred Detail Design Alternative Preliminary Design/Class EA 2 year EA process (+/-) Detail design to implement TESR recommendation 1 ½ year process (+/-) Planning Stage Consultation Preliminary Design and Detail Design Stage Consultation Optional Mandatory Mandatory 10

11 Wolfe Island Ferry Study Update The project will address short term and long term needs, within the 20 year planning horizon, for the Wolfe Island Ferry and will build on the 2011 Wolfe Island Transportation Planning Study. The Wolfe Island Transportation Planning Study (2011) was a planning study to identify needs and review solutions within a 20 year time horizon. The study recommended that a second ferry to Wolfe Island be provided to increase capacity for the next 20 years. Beyond 20 years a study should be undertaken to examine the feasibility for a bridge connection. The Ministry is moving forward with a Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study for increasing capacity of the Wolfe Island ferry services via a second ferry, and associated ferry dock / mooring improvements as recommended in the 2011 Planning Study. 11

12 Wolfe Island Ferry Study Update Morrison Hershfield Limited has been retained by the Ministry of Transportation to conduct the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study. Currently the following activities are underway: Field investigations Commencement notice to be placed in local newspapers Stakeholders, agencies, First Nations, local government officials to be notified of study commencement A website will be available for the public to keep informed and provide comments This Preliminary Design acts as a blueprint (once we receive EA approval) for the next phase Detailed Design, and ultimately tendering of a contract. 12

13 Wolfe Island Ferry Study Public Involvement Following the approved planning process for a Group A project in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) there will be opportunities for public input throughout the study. Public involvement is encouraged throughout the study. 13

14 Wolfe Island Ferry Study Public Involvement The key opportunities for public involvement are: Public review of the Study Design Report (SDR) The SDR outlines the needs and justification of the study, defines the study area, discusses alternatives to the undertaking, and outlines the consultation process to be used in this study. The SDR will be posted on the website for public review; notification for the SDR will be similar to the Study Commencement Notice (newspaper ads, mail-outs to stakeholders, agencies, etc.). Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) A Municipal Advisory Committee will be established and include members from the Study Team, Township of Frontenac Islands, City of Kingston, County of Frontenac, as well any others considered appropriate. The MAC will meet at key milestones throughout the study. Public Information Centres (PICs) Two rounds of PICs will be held, both within the City of Kingston and on Wolfe Island. The first round of PICs is tentatively scheduled for spring 2016 The second round of PICs is tentatively scheduled for winter 2017 Public Review of the Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) The TESR will be produced at the end of Preliminary Design and will be available for a 30-day public review period. The TESR will be posted on the website for public review; notification for TESR will be similar to Study Commencement Notice & SDR (newspaper ads, mail-outs to stakeholders, agencies, etc.). 14

15 Wolfe Island Ferry Study The Public s Opportunity to Appeal Under the Environmental Assessment Act an appeal is referred to as a Part II Order or "bump up" request. Part II Order requests ( Bump ups ) are possible during the 30 day review period of the Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR). The Part II Order (bump-up) needs to be based upon a number of criteria including: Purpose of the Act Undertaking differs from other undertakings in the Class Significance of Factors Any reasons given by the person who requests bump up The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change makes the decision/ruling regarding bump-up requests. 15

16 Wolfe Island Ferry Study Looking Ahead It is anticipated the Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment Study will be completed in 2017 and that the construction of shore based works will begin by 2019/20. MTO is considering operational improvements that can be made in advance of the new vessel, particularly Transportation Demand Management measures, and is working with the Township, City and County on these. 16

17 Photo by Andrew Lavigne Questions? 17

18 Wolfe Island Ferry Study - Background 2011 Planning Study Major Recommendations Operate a dual ferry service with a new 75 vehicle capacity ferry between Dawson Point and Barrack Street and continued use of the Wolfe Islander III between Marysville (except in winter) and Barrack Street Improve marshalling areas at all 3 terminal locations Dock and mooring improvements at Barrack Street and Dawson Point Intersection improvements at Barrack Street/Ontario Street including traffic signal timing Consider implementing TDM (Travel Demand Management) measures Sometime following implementation of the ferry improvements, initiate a feasibility study to investigate the practicality of a fixed link between CFB Kingston lands and Dawson Point 18

19 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Measures Identified for Consideration Priority boarding for HOV/green/small vehicles Implement a toll regime (fares) Develop a carpool incentive program Improve commuter parking facilities Implement Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) measures such as variable message signs and notification of ferry status via electronic media, coordinated with queue counters at ferry terminals and status updates distributed by staff Improve tourism signage to reduce unnecessary vehicle trips on ferry Coordinate with Kingston Transit and transit integration Improve pedestrian and cyclist passenger amenities at all terminals including shelters, bicycle storage facilities, and increased separation from vehicular traffic 19