Question 1

Why are these field investigations required?

Accepted Answer

Field investigations allow researchers to assess the natural, socio-economic and cultural environments and conduct investigations to determine the most responsible way to move forward, while avoiding or minimizing negative effects. There are a wide variety of field investigations that can occur in support of this project (as outlined in the above Fieldwork Phase descriptions).

It is important to obtain information from field investigations to document existing conditions and avoid or minimize negative effects and develop appropriate mitigation measures for any areas containing significant/sensitive features.

Question 2

What precautions are being taken by the Project Team field staff while accessing properties for field investigations in light of ongoing concerns about COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

All staff conducting field investigations will be following COVID-19 precautionary measures, including but not limited to physical distancing and using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). If you have any questions regarding our fieldwork protocol and COVID-19 precautionary measures, please do not hesitate to contact Nadia Dabagh, PTE Coordinator, directly at 289-835-2519 or by email at PTE@Highway413.ca. Nadia will provide you with a response within 3 – 5 business days.

Question 3

What is the Preferred Route?

Accepted Answer

Stage 2 of the Highway 413 EA Project has focused on developing and evaluating a short list of route alternatives to select a Preferred Route. The project is currently in the Preliminary Design Phase, which focuses on further refining the design of the Highway 413 Preferred Route.

Question 4

Phase 1 PTE Fieldwork – Completed

Accepted Answer

Phase 1 PTE field investigations consisted of field staff documenting observations, taking photos and mapping existing conditions.

The Phase 1 field investigations began on March 9, 2020 and continued intermittently until December 31, 2020. The Phase 1 fieldwork program included a combination of the following investigations undertaken by the Project Team field staff:

Natural Environment Investigations – natural resource observations, including fisheries, wildlife, wetlands, and vegetation inventories; groundwater and drainage conditions (including water well surveys).
Socio-Economic Environment Investigations – land use and agricultural review; contaminant and waste management observations.
Cultural Environment Investigations – cultural heritage landscapes and built heritage resource assessments.
Engineering Investigations – engineering surveys to understand existing conditions that may influence design.

Question 5

Phase 2 PTE Fieldwork – Completed

Accepted Answer

The Phase 2 fieldwork program included a combination of the following investigations undertaken by the Project Team field staff:

Natural Environment Investigations – natural resource observations, including fisheries, wildlife, wetlands, and vegetation inventories; groundwater and drainage conditions (including water well surveys).
Socio-Economic Environment Investigations – land use and agricultural review; contaminant and waste management observations.
Cultural Environment Investigations – Stage 2 Archaeological Assessments.
Engineering Investigations – geotechnical and borehole investigations; utility locate surveys; topographic surveys.

Phase 2 fieldwork began in September 2021 and was completed in December 2022.

Question 6

Phase 3 PTE Fieldwork – Underway

Accepted Answer

The Phase 3 PTE program is a continuation of the work undertaken in 2021 and 2022 under the Phase 2 PTE program. This fieldwork will focus on properties we were unable to previously investigate and properties where further investigations are required.

Phase 3 field investigations will include fieldwork which may require some temporary alteration to properties. Temporary alteration to a property may refer to open-test pitting, installation of monitoring well(s), drilling of boreholes, and/or limited interference with use of a portion of a property. Temporary changes to a property will be returned to the property's original condition at no cost to the property owner, once the investigation is complete.

The Phase 3 fieldwork program will include any combination of the following investigations being undertaken on your property by the Project Team field staff:

Natural Environment Investigations - natural resource observations, which may include fish community and fish habitat surveys, vegetation classification and delineation, plant species inventories, Significant Wildlife Habitat surveys, amphibian call surveys, breeding bird surveys, and certain species-specific surveys for threatened or endangered species. All of these surveys are non-intrusive and will involve trained ecologists walking the subject property recording ecological data, mapping features and taking photographs of natural features.
Socio-Economic Environment Investigations - land use and agricultural review, contaminant and waste management observations.
Cultural Environment Investigations - archaeological assessments and photographic documentation of the property including photos of the exterior of buildings on the property and other landscape features.
Engineering Investigations - geotechnical and borehole investigations; utility locate surveys; topographic surveys.

Phase 3 fieldwork began in December 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Highway 413 Stage 2 Environmental Assessment: Permission To Enter (PTE)

Permission To Enter (PTE)

Step 1: Receiving your PTE Form

Step 2: Review and Sign your PTE Form

Step 3: Submit your PTE form and questionnaire to the Project Team

Step 4: Property Access

Background, Progress to Date & Timelines

Property Acquisition

Special Considerations

PTE Contact Information

PTE Resources

Frequently Asked Questions