Essa names NVCA in lawsuit regarding Nottawasaga River erosion

 New Tecumseth Free Press Online

Updated 4:25 pm – A statement issued by Essa Township this afternoon only confirms a lawsuit has been filed.

“The Township of Essa has started an action in Superior Court against various parties dealing with several erosion-related issues along the Nottawasaga River in the Angus area. It would not be appropriate to discuss this any further while it is before the Courts.”

Posted April 30, 2015

Essa Township has launched legal action against the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and other parties (a list not confirmed at this post) concerning erosion along the banks of the Nottawasaga River.”

“The Authority will defend this lawsuit as the NVCA discharged its duties fully and fairly,” confirmed Heather Kepran, NVCA Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, in an email to Free Press Online. “As you can appreciate, because this matter is now before the courts, we cannot comment any further on this case. The NVCA will comment further once this matter is concluded.”

Details of the action including what Essa is seeking as an end result, were not yet confirmed at this update. At this writing, Free Press Online was still awaiting comments from Essa mayor Terry Dowdall.

In November 2013, the results of the Nottawasaga River Erosion Hazard Assessment
Class Environmental Assessment was presented to Essa council. “The intent of this study has been to evaluate the factors contributing to the identified erosion issues and develop various mitigation alternatives to address future channel movement, and resulting erosion and flooding, that will directly impact existing and future housing developments and related municipal infrastructure,” according to the report prepared by PARISH Geomorphic Ltd. and Terraprobe Inc.

The rate of erosion since 1978 has accelerated and is starting to encroach into the built-up residential area on Nottawasaga Drive and on Concessions 3 and 4, immediately north on Brown’s line in Angus.

The study’s preferred solution is to reconfigure the channel at an estimated cost (in 2013) of $337,000, not including a $300,000 contingency for stone work. The financial estimates do not include excavation and removal of approximately 15,000m3 of fill, which could offset the expenditures as a resale commodity.

Stonemount Developments is currently undertaking river bank stabilization as part of its development, which is being funded in part by the Township. (More details will be updated as they are confirmed).