Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project Aims to Strengthen Shoreline Against Climate Change

A $2-million pilot project will study how to deal with coastal flooding and erosion on Lake Ontario's western shoreline, involving a 95-kilometre stretch of shoreline that includes the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and Conservation Halton shorelines, as well as 10 coastal municipalities. The four-year study, led by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, will assess and model shoreline conditions, map shoreline hazards, and conduct risk and socio-economic assessments to develop a coastal resilience plan with policy recommendations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project will study 95 kilometres of shoreline from the mouth of the Niagara River to Joshua's Creek in Oakville/Mississauga.
• The project involves the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Hamilton Conservation Authority, Conservation Halton, and 10 coastal municipalities.
• The study will assess and model shoreline conditions, map shoreline hazards, and conduct risk and socio-economic assessments.
• The project will develop a coastal resilience plan with policy recommendations, including nature-based solutions for high-risk areas.
• The federal government is providing $1.5 million to the project, with contributions being made by municipalities and conservation authorities through in-kind funding.
• The project is one of three coastal resilient projects in Ontario funded by the federal government through the Natural Resources Canada's Climate Resilient Coastal Communities program.
• The project aims to provide a plan with actions for partners to support, with a clear road map for implementation.

Statistics:

• 95 kilometres of shoreline will be studied along Lake Ontario's western shoreline.
• The project will involve 10 coastal municipalities.
• The federal government is providing $1.5 million to the project.
• The project is one of three coastal resilient projects in Ontario funded by the federal government, with a total of 21 projects across the country receiving $4.1 million in funding.
• 25 per cent of Canada's population lives in the Lake Ontario watershed.
• 80 per cent of Lake Ontario's water comes from other Great Lakes.

Sources:

• Niagara This Week
• Environment Ontario (study results cited in the article)
• Natural Resources Canada's Climate Resilient Coastal Communities program
• Conservation Ontario (project funding allocation)
• Federal Government of Canada (project funding allocation)