Veldhuis project moving forward
Endangered birds protected as work on property resumes in May
CRAIG CAMPBELL, Dundas Star NEWS STAFF
Published on Mar 23, 2011
Hamilton Conservation Authority is working with the Ministry of Natural Resources to preserve habitat of endangered birds during demolition of buildings at the former Veldhuis Greenhouse site on King Street East.
Steve Miazga, HCA chief administrator, said last week an environmental assessment of the property will resume, probably in May, after remaining buildings on the property are removed over the next month.
Three years after the HCA purchased the property, the organization finally took possession of the remaining buildings.
Those addresses are now vacant, and the HCA will start the process for obtaining demolition permits and a landscaping contractor.
“The landscaping plan will determine actual costs of developing the park area, excluding remediation costs,” Miazga said.
But he pointed out if the environmental assessment determines any on-site contamination can just be capped, expenses for cleaning the property could be minor.
Either way, demolition will pave the way for landscaping plans and site remediation, and a projected budget for the Eco-Gateway project along Desjardins Canal.
The nationally threatened chimney swift has been spotted nesting in an old chimney on the property. The bird is protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.
Graham Buck, species-at-risk biologist at the Ministry of Natural Resources, said the HCA had told him they will remove buildings on the site but retain the chimney as chimney swift habitat.
A detailed plan to stabilize the chimney during, and after, demolition has been developed. Once all the upcoming work has been completed, and a more detailed budget for the entire project is known, the HCA and its foundation will start planning a fundraising effort. Miazga expects that will happen in the fall.
http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/232077
Endangered birds protected as work on property resumes in May
CRAIG CAMPBELL, Dundas Star NEWS STAFF
Published on Mar 23, 2011
Hamilton Conservation Authority is working with the Ministry of Natural Resources to preserve habitat of endangered birds during demolition of buildings at the former Veldhuis Greenhouse site on King Street East.
Steve Miazga, HCA chief administrator, said last week an environmental assessment of the property will resume, probably in May, after remaining buildings on the property are removed over the next month.
Three years after the HCA purchased the property, the organization finally took possession of the remaining buildings.
Those addresses are now vacant, and the HCA will start the process for obtaining demolition permits and a landscaping contractor.
“The landscaping plan will determine actual costs of developing the park area, excluding remediation costs,” Miazga said.
But he pointed out if the environmental assessment determines any on-site contamination can just be capped, expenses for cleaning the property could be minor.
Either way, demolition will pave the way for landscaping plans and site remediation, and a projected budget for the Eco-Gateway project along Desjardins Canal.
The nationally threatened chimney swift has been spotted nesting in an old chimney on the property. The bird is protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.
Graham Buck, species-at-risk biologist at the Ministry of Natural Resources, said the HCA had told him they will remove buildings on the site but retain the chimney as chimney swift habitat.
A detailed plan to stabilize the chimney during, and after, demolition has been developed. Once all the upcoming work has been completed, and a more detailed budget for the entire project is known, the HCA and its foundation will start planning a fundraising effort. Miazga expects that will happen in the fall.
http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/232077
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