HOW TO GET INVOLVED & PARTICIPATE

As part of this project, a study examined the feasibility of potential options to manage the PCB-contaminated sediments in the bottom of a portion of Lyons Creek East. A public information centre will be held on June 18, 2025, from 7-9 P.M. Experts will share a progress update on potential sediment management options, discuss the next steps, and answer questions. We encourage you to attend to learn more!

1. Attend the next public information centre on June 18, 2025 from 7-9 p.m. at the Welland Flatwater Centre. Register here.
2. Submit written comments or questions using the Q&A tool below.
3. 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

Specific areas of Lyons Creek East (from the Welland Canal to Buchner Road) contain high levels of historical sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This area is the last of 14 sites identified for cleanup as part of the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan.

Collaborative monitoring occurred for more than 15 years as part of a natural recovery approach, selected in 2008 through scientific evidence and public consultation. Natural recovery was ideal at the time because it did not disturb the contaminated sediment, and monitoring could be implemented to assess whether natural recovery was occurring whereby contaminated sediments get buried below cleaner surface sediments. Monitoring included many studies, such as sediment, water, fish, aquatic bugs, and turtle eggs. In May 2023, partners informed the community about the need to select a different cleanup approach after scientific information indicated natural recovery was not occurring in some areas of the creek particularly in areas close to the Welland Canal.

Since then, various studies throughout Lyons Creek East (2022-present) have been conducted to inform future cleanup options for managing and removing the contaminated sediments. A comprehensive, 4-season ecological study was completed to identify environmentally sensitive areas of the creek. The results were presented at a public meeting in November 2024. The presentation slide deck and full ecological study report are accessible under the 'Documents' section on this page. Other studies have been conducted by the Canada Water Agency (formerly Environment and Climate Change Canada) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks and supported by the NPCA to determine the physical extent of PCB contamination in the creek’s sediments. Collaborative efforts to determine and evaluate possible methods of sediment remediation for this area are ongoing.

We invite you to attend our upcoming public information centre on June 18, 2025, from 7-9 P.M. at the Welland Flatwater Centre to learn more. Experts will share a progress update on potential sediment management options, discuss the next steps, and answer questions. To attend, please register here.

We encourage you to continue checking back for updates on this project.