Public gets first look at Lyons Creek cleanup plan

Sediment cleanup plans, past and present, for a portion of Lyons Creek in Welland will form part of public information session later this month

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is partnering with the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (NRRAP) program, which works to clean up the shoreline of the river from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, to host the session at Welland International Flatwater Centre. Am NPCA release said Lyons Creek East 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 action plan.

The creek is east of the Welland Canal and a tributary of the Welland River, which eventually flows into the Niagara River.

In 2008, a natural recovery approach was selected to manage the contaminated sediments, said the release. It said scientific evidence showed ecological and human health risks were low.

“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,” the release added. Environment and Climate Change Canada and Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Conservation scientists involved in monitoring the area now recommend a more active remediation approach.

“This portion of Lyons Creek is the last site requiring cleanup as part of the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan, and this project is an important step in our multi-year strategy for delisting the Niagara River as an area of concern,” said Natalie Green, NPCA manager of climate change and special programs.

For more information, go to eventbrite.ca/e/lyons-creek-eastpublic-information-centre-tickets-623946108607.