Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Gravity means rain plus Gatineau hills is a bad combination for flooding

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, November 2, 2017

Water flows downhill, and the Outaouais adds an exclamation mark to the truism.

Each heavy rainstorm seems to vent its greatest anger in West Quebec.

This week, washed out roads in Gatineau, Chelsea, and Denholm. Last May brought devastating floods.

And the rainstorm of St. Jean Baptiste Day 2011, washed out sections of Highways 148 and 105, along with countless smaller roads and the Wakefield Steam Train tracks. It left Ontario mostly intact.

The difference is partly about hills, or the lack of them.

Hydro compromise draws applause

OttawaCommunityNews.com

By Nevil Hunt, Ottawa Community News, November 1, 2017

Staff at the province’s much-maligned hydro system has put forward a compromise in north Kanata that may set a precedent for Ontario.

Hydro One has decided to talk with residents with homes adjacent to the hydro corridor that separates Beaverbrook and Kanata Lakes. The conversation will include the future of the vegetation near the hydro wires.

In the past, provincial residents have been bystanders when hydro crews arrive and clear-cut all trees and plants in power line corridors.

OC Transpo launches new fare gates

CTV Ottawa News

By Josh Pringle, CTV News Ottawa, November 1, 2017

O-Train riders must pass through new fare gates at the Carling O-Train Station today.OC Transpo begins testing fare gates and ticket machines at the O-Train Trillium Line station at Carling as part of a pilot project.

Customers must tap their smartcard or scan their bus transfer or ticket purchased on the fare gate to reach the O-Train platform. When exiting the station, there’s no need to tap or scan. The gates will open automatically when the customer approaches.

Customers must tap their smart card or scan their bus transfer or ticket purchased on the fare gate to reach the O-Train platform. When exiting the station, there’s no need to tap or scan. The gates will open automatically when the customer approaches.O-Train at Carling Station.

New ticket machines will also be available at the stations to purchase single ride fares or buy any Presto card product. The ticket machines will accept cash, credit or debit cards.

Wet end to 2017: Environment Canada

CTV Ottawa News

By Josh Pringle, CTV News Ottawa, November 1, 2017

Environment Canada is predicting it will be a rainy and snowy end to the wettest year in Ottawa history.Over 1,200 mm of rain and snow has fallen on Ottawa in the first 10 months of the year, breaking the record for most precipitation in a year. Ottawa has received 1,084 mm of rain since January 1.

Environment Canada’s three month outlook predicts Ottawa will see “above normal” rain and snowfall through November, December and January.

West Quebec mayors grapple with 'new normal' after latest floods - Ottawa - CBC News

By Amanda Pfeffer, CBC News Ottawa, October 31, 2017

State of emergency

That's how many municipalities across west Quebec are feeling this week in the aftermath of the record-breaking storm.

As they assess the latest damage, which comes toward the tail end of a year of destructive flooding across the region, they're also wondering how their communities can mitigate the costly impact of these weather events that seem to have become the new normal.

Residents hold grudge against city over Mooney’s Bay development

Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, October 31, 2017

Residents near Mooney’s Bay are feeling “betrayed” and still holding a grudge against the city for changing a concept plan before selling the old Bayview school to a developer for $16.5 million.

A public meeting scheduled for Wednesday night will let people provide feedback on Canoe Bay Developments’ proposed mixed-use community at 3071 Riverside Dr. before the project application goes through the land-use approval process at planning committee and council.

Canoe Bay wants to build a mix of homes on the 10-acre property, marketing the units to older adults. According to Canoe Bay’s website, there would be 27 townhomes, 36 apartment “flats,” 42 loft-style apartments, 247 units in a six-storey apartment building and 277 suites in a six-storey retirement residence. There would be a park at the south end and commercial tenants along Riverside Drive.

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Glen Gower, StittsvilleCentral, October 31, 2017

Closing Johnwoods might make sense years from now when more of Stittsville’s planned road and transit infrastructure is in place, but it doesn’t make sense now.

I made this video in May 2016 ahead of a public information meeting hosted by the City to explain what’s going on. Watch this:

Pathway will keep traffic off part of Johnwoods Street in Stittsville

OttawaCommunityNews.com

By Brian Dryden, Ottawa Community News, October 31, 2017

Work is expected to get underway later this month on a new multi-use pathway that will see vehicles banned from a small section of Johnwoods Street in Stittsville in an effort to make the area better suited for pedestrians and cyclists.

“This work will add a safe and accessible recreational amenity, more greenspace and direct connections for pedestrians and cyclists,” Stittsville Coun. Shad Qadri said of the plan that has been a long time in the works.“The pathway will also enhance privacy and livability for nearby residents by reducing vehicle traffic noise and headlight glare,” Qadri added.

Infill numbers are in for Kitchissippi

OttawaCommunityNews.com

By Melissa Murray, Ottawa Community News, October 31, 2017

When city staff responded to Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper’s request for infill statistics, the numbers surprised him.Using approvals for minor variances and severances, the numbers show that since 2012 Leiper’s ward has 42 per cent of the urban area’s applications.

“I’ve had a feeling since the beginning of this term of council the level of infill activity was high in this ward compared to others, but I hadn’t realized that in some years it was almost the equivalent of our other urban wards combined,” Leiper said. “It was surprising to me.”

(...)There are five new LRT stations planned for the area, there are walkable mainstreets and the ward is full of modest-sized homes on relatively large lots, he added.

NCC closes some roads, trails due to rainfall damage

Ottawa Sun

By Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Sun, October 31, 2017

Some roads, pathways and trails in Gatineau Park have been closed or affected by recent heavy rainfall, the National Capital Commission is warning.

Users of the park are being urged to check the visitor centre for conditions and route suggestions, and the NCC is asking visitors to exercise caution and to respect work crews, equipment and signs.

Letter to the Editor: Green spaces don’t have to be actual parks in order to provide health benefits – Kitchissippi Times

By Debra Huron, Kitchissippi Times, October 26, 2017

Re: Rochester Field open house draws concerns from residents (Oct. 12 edition of Kitchissippi Times)

The people quoted in your article seem unanimous in their view that Rochester Field needs to remain a field—a green and open space with trees, grass, shrubs, birds, people, and dogs.

(...)The green spaces don’t have to be actual parks in order to provide health benefits. Seeing a tree outside your kitchen window or having hedges around a property count, because they provide day-to-day encounters with nature.

The desire to keep Rochester Field a field is linked, in my mind, to a larger desire for green growth in our neighbourhoods. Infill development in Kitchissippi Ward has too many negative and familiar hallmarks:

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Glen Gower, StittsvilleCentral, October 29, 2017

We knew it was inevitable but it was still a shock this weekend to see the trees already coming down along the edge of the Shea Woods.

A strip of cedar trees and brush along the east side of the forest has been cut down, and the field to the east is being cleared and is surrounded by construction fencing.