Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup Project
About the project
A portion of Lyons Creek East is contaminated with historic sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is the last of 14 sites identified for cleanup as part of the Niagara River RAP.
Collaborative monitoring has been ongoing for more than 15 years as part of a natural recovery approach in 2008, selected through scientific evidence and public consultation. Monitoring included many lines of evidence such as: sediment, water, fish, aquatic bugs, turtle eggs.
Recent results suggest a more active remediation approach is needed. Throughout the next year, we will be gathering additional information to determine future cleanup options for the site, and engaging with the community to support decision-making.
We encourage you to continue checking back for updates on this project.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED & PARTICIPATE:
- Review documents, FAQs, and resources on this page.
- Review PowerPoint presentation from May 30, 2023 information session (Documents).
- Submit written comments or questions using the Q&A tool below.
- Visit niagarariver.ca to learn more about the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan including other efforts to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
All questions / comments are reviewed by staff but we may not be able to reply to all of them. For inquiries not related to this project, please visit npca.ca/contact.
About the project
A portion of Lyons Creek East is contaminated with historic sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is the last of 14 sites identified for cleanup as part of the Niagara River RAP.
Collaborative monitoring has been ongoing for more than 15 years as part of a natural recovery approach in 2008, selected through scientific evidence and public consultation. Monitoring included many lines of evidence such as: sediment, water, fish, aquatic bugs, turtle eggs.
Recent results suggest a more active remediation approach is needed. Throughout the next year, we will be gathering additional information to determine future cleanup options for the site, and engaging with the community to support decision-making.
We encourage you to continue checking back for updates on this project.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED & PARTICIPATE:
- Review documents, FAQs, and resources on this page.
- Review PowerPoint presentation from May 30, 2023 information session (Documents).
- Submit written comments or questions using the Q&A tool below.
- Visit niagarariver.ca to learn more about the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan including other efforts to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
All questions / comments are reviewed by staff but we may not be able to reply to all of them. For inquiries not related to this project, please visit npca.ca/contact.
Frequently Asked Questions & More
We welcome you to ask us a question! Before you ask your question, kindly review the existing FAQs below as you may find your answer there.
Note that questions can be responded to privately or publicly. If you wish to receive a private response, kindly state this in your question.
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Share The issue I want to raise is the water levels in the creek. We have lived on it for 7 summers now and each year the water level is lower. This results in more exposed sediment, less water flow, and narrowing passages. Given the sediment is the cause for concern, I believe lower water levels to be an issue. I would like to know if this will be addressed in future studies and actions, possibly by increasing Seaway flow from the canal or rehabilitation efforts to maintain the size and depth of the waterway. Can you speak to this? on Facebook Share The issue I want to raise is the water levels in the creek. We have lived on it for 7 summers now and each year the water level is lower. This results in more exposed sediment, less water flow, and narrowing passages. Given the sediment is the cause for concern, I believe lower water levels to be an issue. I would like to know if this will be addressed in future studies and actions, possibly by increasing Seaway flow from the canal or rehabilitation efforts to maintain the size and depth of the waterway. Can you speak to this? on Twitter Share The issue I want to raise is the water levels in the creek. We have lived on it for 7 summers now and each year the water level is lower. This results in more exposed sediment, less water flow, and narrowing passages. Given the sediment is the cause for concern, I believe lower water levels to be an issue. I would like to know if this will be addressed in future studies and actions, possibly by increasing Seaway flow from the canal or rehabilitation efforts to maintain the size and depth of the waterway. Can you speak to this? on Linkedin Email The issue I want to raise is the water levels in the creek. We have lived on it for 7 summers now and each year the water level is lower. This results in more exposed sediment, less water flow, and narrowing passages. Given the sediment is the cause for concern, I believe lower water levels to be an issue. I would like to know if this will be addressed in future studies and actions, possibly by increasing Seaway flow from the canal or rehabilitation efforts to maintain the size and depth of the waterway. Can you speak to this? link
The issue I want to raise is the water levels in the creek. We have lived on it for 7 summers now and each year the water level is lower. This results in more exposed sediment, less water flow, and narrowing passages. Given the sediment is the cause for concern, I believe lower water levels to be an issue. I would like to know if this will be addressed in future studies and actions, possibly by increasing Seaway flow from the canal or rehabilitation efforts to maintain the size and depth of the waterway. Can you speak to this?
lyndsey.ferrell asked 11 months agoThank you for your question. This project is to examine the potential sediment cleanup options to manage historic PCB contaminated in the creek bed. At this time, monitoring or managing the water level in the creek is not included in this project. Water levels may be a consideration for future cleanup options.
Discussions with representatives of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority is underway to better understand and maintain water levels in Lyons Creek East.
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Where is Lyons Creek East?
12 months agoLyons Creek is a small watercourse located in Welland, Ontario. It flows into the Welland River and eventually the Niagara River. The project area is the creek itself, east of the Welland Canal extending approximately 7 km to McKenney Road.
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What is the problem at Lyons Creek East?
12 months agoChemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were discovered in a portion of Lyons Creek East in the 1990s. While PCBs were banned in the 1970s, they remain in the environment for a long time. PCBs can negatively impact the environment and human health depending on the concentration and type of exposure.
Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/pcbs.html
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What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)?
12 months agoPolychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs are human-made chemicals used in industrial applications (e.g., lubricant and in electrical equipment) from the 1930s to 1970s. The chemical was banned in 1977 due to its negative impact on the environment. PCBs do not break down easily and remain in the environment for a long time.
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Share Can PCBs make people sick? Is there a risk to human health if I live near the site? on Facebook Share Can PCBs make people sick? Is there a risk to human health if I live near the site? on Twitter Share Can PCBs make people sick? Is there a risk to human health if I live near the site? on Linkedin Email Can PCBs make people sick? Is there a risk to human health if I live near the site? link
Can PCBs make people sick? Is there a risk to human health if I live near the site?
12 months agoPCBs can negatively impact human health depending on the concentration and type of exposure.
The contaminants are deep in the bottom of the creek. A human health risk assessment concluded the risks to humans was low and related to eating fish caught from Lyons Creek East. A community survey and field observations showed fish consumption was not occurring within the area of interest.
As an additional way to reduce risks to human health, there are fish consumption advisories in place by the Province of Ontario that limit the number and type of fish that can be eaten based on set guidelines.
Please refer to the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish for more information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-eating-ontario-fish
Learn more about the potential health effects: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/pcbs.html#he
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When was the PCB contamination in Lyons Creek East discovered?
12 months agoThe PCB contamination was discovered in 1990 following an accidental spill from a transformer in Lyons Creek West (on the other side of the Welland Canal).
The spill triggered an investigation to determine the extent of contamination and led to the discovery of historic (deeper) contamination in both Lyons Creek West and East which most likely predated the construction of the Welland Canal By-Pass.
Lyons Creek West was remediated in 2007.
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Share Is there still a source of PCBs going into the creek? on Facebook Share Is there still a source of PCBs going into the creek? on Twitter Share Is there still a source of PCBs going into the creek? on Linkedin Email Is there still a source of PCBs going into the creek? link
Is there still a source of PCBs going into the creek?
12 months agoNo, there are no ongoing sources of PCBs in Lyons Creek. The chemical was banned in the 1970s. Based on the type of PCB and its depth in the bottom of the creek, the source is deemed historic when PCBs were used broadly across Canada.
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Share Does the contamination extend along the entire length of Lyons Creek? on Facebook Share Does the contamination extend along the entire length of Lyons Creek? on Twitter Share Does the contamination extend along the entire length of Lyons Creek? on Linkedin Email Does the contamination extend along the entire length of Lyons Creek? link
Does the contamination extend along the entire length of Lyons Creek?
12 months agoNo, the PCB contamination is limited to a specific area of Lyons Creek, east of the Welland Canal to McKenney Road. The area from Doans Ridge Road to McKenney Road is the least contaminated and currently showing signs of natural recovery.
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Share Are the levels of PCBs the same throughout the contaminated sediment area? on Facebook Share Are the levels of PCBs the same throughout the contaminated sediment area? on Twitter Share Are the levels of PCBs the same throughout the contaminated sediment area? on Linkedin Email Are the levels of PCBs the same throughout the contaminated sediment area? link
Are the levels of PCBs the same throughout the contaminated sediment area?
12 months agoThe Lyons Creek East project area is divided into zones based on the level of PCBs determined by sediment core sampling. The highest level of PCBs in sediments are in Zones 1-4 and decrease further downstream into Zones 5-7 (see map).
Monitoring shows that the highest concentrations of PCBs are in deeper layers of the creek bottom (depth of 25-50 cm). Cleaner sediments are closer to the surface.
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Why haven’t the contaminated sediments in Lyons Creek East been removed?
12 months agoFollowing numerous technical studies, a discussion paper was prepared with potential options to manage the contaminated sediments at Lyons Creek East.
Four options with varying levels of remediation, impact, and costs were considered through public consultation. The selected option was monitored natural recovery with administrative controls to prevent disturbance of the sediments.
This option was chosen instead of removal because leaving the sediments in place posed low to no risks to wildlife and human health, protected the sensitive ecological (wetland) features, and assumed recovery would occur with the natural burial of contaminated sediments over time. The site has been monitored since 2008.
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Who's Listening
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Email ngreen@npca.ca
Timeline
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Monitored natural recovery
Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup Project has finished this stageSince 2008, collaborative monitoring of PCBs in sediments, fish, water, sediment-dwelling bugs, fish, water, and turtles has been underway. Learn more here.
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Public Information Centre #1
Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup Project has finished this stageMay 30, 2023 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
Project experts will share info on long-term monitoring efforts and results, discuss next steps, and answer questions. Register to attend.
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Planning for sediment cleanup options
Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup Project is currently at this stage2022 - 2024
Includes additional monitoring and technical studies needed for determining options for sediment cleanup as well as community outreach and engagement for information sharing and future decision-making.
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Future project implementation
this is an upcoming stage for Lyons Creek East Sediment Cleanup ProjectTimeframe to be determined
Future stages would include an engineered design, remediation and restoration work, development of a long-term monitoring program.
*This stage is currently unfunded.