[All] Fw: Hidden Valley EA process: Decision made prematurely - [?]

Tue May 6 08:48:43 EDT 2014

I don't think this necessarily implies that the general hydrological status of Hidden Valley is unknown.  It may be linked to fine-tuning localized or specific considerations related to the details of the preferred alignment and design recently approved by Council.  This could refer to either the section of the proposed road just where the flyway crosses over highway #8 to Hidden Valley Road or to the bridge crossing over a creek some distance further along.  You might want to check the Region's web site to see the comments and suggestions made a number of weeks ago by EEAC to the most recent version of the proposal.

- Greg Michalenko
________________________________
From: All [all-bounces at gren.ca] on behalf of Louisette Lanteigne [butterflybluelu at rogers.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 12:05 AM
To: GREN2
Subject: [All] Fw: Hidden Valley EA process: Decision made prematurely

FYI

Lulu

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
To: MOE CCU (ENE) <MOE.CCUENE at ontario.ca>; "regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca" <regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "council at kitchener.ca" <council at kitchener.ca>; "cfife-co at ndp.on.ca" <cfife-co at ndp.on.ca>; "ahorwath-co at ndp.on.ca" <ahorwath-co at ndp.on.ca>; justin duncan <jduncan at ecojustice.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:03:37 AM
Subject: Hidden Valley EA process: Decision made prematurely

Dear Ministry and Council Officials.

I was examining a page which features a municipal bid for consultant services for Hydrologic and Hydraulic Study for the Hidden Valley Watershed in Kitchener. The advertising is posted here:

http://www.biddingo.com/*.main?toPage=StBidDetailBuyerSite.jsp&actionMethod=verifyApplicants&bidOrgId=11003118&tndrId=1002495<http://www.biddingo.com/%2a.main?toPage=StBidDetailBuyerSite.jsp&actionMethod=verifyApplicants&bidOrgId=11003118&tndrId=1002495>

It states:

Closing Date: May 14, 2014 1:00:00 PM (local time)
City of Kitchener
Reference: E14-043
Prequalification required: No
The City of Kitchener currently has information available at www.kitchener.ca and www.opba.ca with respect to the following:
E14-043 Consultant Services – Hydrologic and Hydraulic Study for the Hidden Valley Creek Watershed closing at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday May 14, 2014.
Larry Gordon
Director of Supply Services
Other opportunities and additional information may be available at
http://www.kitchener.ca/tenders.
Contact Information:
City of Kitchener
200 King St. West, P. O. Box 1118
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4G7
Canada
Phone: (519) 741-2200 ext. 7214
Fax: (519) 741-2222
larry.gordon at kitchener.ca<mailto:larry.gordon at kitchener.ca>
Contact: Larry R. Gordon

This bid implies that the groundwater status of Hidden Valley is currently not known. This also means that the information used in the Class EA to justify the statement the road would not impact groundwater QUALITY and QUANTITY is invalid because clearly data is lacking. It is reasonable to conclude that statements saying the River Road Extension cannot cause a significant loss in recharge volumes is based on unsupported theories.  No net loss of groundwater volumes is required as part of the Official Plan. So, based on the arrival of this bid information, it confirms the groundwater component of the Class EA is not actually complete and therefore, the effects analysis on groundwater in the Class EA is incomplete and could be wrong. It is premature for us to assume the project will not have adverse consequences on the hydrogeology of the area or it's critical habitats.

It appears the Hidden Valley EA to date is designed to meet regulatory requirements, rather than using the EA to help determine what the requirements or objectives should be. This is not a logical, ethical or cost effective approach. Giving approvals before analysis makes the intent and purpose of an EA process redundant.

I would like to know why this tender is being sent after the municipality selected the final design for the River Road Extension.

Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ont.
N2V 2L2

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