(1999-2003) Highway 417 Four Lane Expansion

This project involved the collection and analysis of fisheries and aquatic resources data in order to establish existing conditions, identify potential impacts, and prepare fisheries compensation plans for the Highway 417 extension. Significant environmental features included crossings of the Mississippi River, Mississippi River Provincially Significant Wetland, and Mississippi Diversion Municipal Drain. In order to acquire a Fisheries Act authorization for these crossings, detailed natural channel realignment and fisheries habitat compensation plans were developed. Since this project required two Fisheries Act authorizations, this project also triggered the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) process and as such two Screening Reports were also prepared as part of this assignment.

In order to evaluate ensuing fisheries utilization, aquatic plant growth, siltation, and stability of the fisheries habitat compensation measures taken, a 2 year post-construction monitoring program was also carried out for this project.

Highway 417 Four Lane Expansion, Regional Road 20 to Regional Road 22, WP 127-92-00 Mississippi River Structure, Arnprior, Ontario, MTO WP 451-90-03/04 (1999-2003)