Chedoke Creek clean up resumes after months-long delay

City contractorshave resumeddredging upbiohazardous sediment at the bottom ofChedoke Creek after the city saysenvironmental monitoring agreements have been reached with local First Nations groups.

The work is now set to be done by the end of October, the city says.

It was supposed to be done by the end of last year, but the project facedmonths-long delays due to a dispute with the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), which had asked to be more closely involved and consulted over the work being done.

The province had ordered the clean up after 24 billion litres of sewage and stormwater spilled into the creek.

A valve on the city's combined sewer overflow system was left open between 2014 and 2018, causing a layer of biohazardous sediment to settle at the bottom of the creek.

Chedoke Creek flows into Cootes Paradise and into Hamilton Harbour.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks ordered the clean up and the city hired Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. to complete the work for just under $6 million.

Why there was a delay and what's next

The city paused the work to prepare targeted dredgingin late August 2022 after HDIdemanded meaningful consultation and had environmental monitors on site watching the work.

HDIsaidthe dredging is taking place on treatylands and the group is acting on behalfofthe Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council, the traditional leaders of the Haudenosaunee people.

In a communication update to councillorson Monday, the city said there are now environmental monitoring agreements in place withthe Huron-Wendat Nation, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River and HDI.

The updatesays orientation training for the monitors is taking place.

The update says the contractorsarestarting to remove debris from the creek between theDesjardins Recreation Trail bridge and the Kay Drage Park bridge.

From there, they will dredge some 100 meters north of the Desjardins Recreation Trail bridge. The city said the Waterfront Trail in the area will remain open but said access points near DesjardinsRecreation Trail bridge will close for one or two days of work. Dates for those closures have not been confirmed, however.

The city says the work will be done by the end of October, which is the provinciallyimposed deadline they must meet.