Deadline extended for Hamilton’s dredging of Chedoke Creek

The City of Hamilton now has until the end of 2023 to finish a targeted dredging of Chedoke Creek.

The initial completion date was set for Dec. 31 of this year. The city asked the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for the extension on Dec. 9.

The MECP Director approved the city’s request on Tuesday.

The targeted dredging of Chedoke Creek started in July, but it was paused on Aug. 18 after members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy interrupted the work saying they were exercising treaty rights.

READ MORE: Dredging at Chedoke Creek paused after Haudenosaunee Confederacy interruption

The city has entered into environmental monitoring agreements with both the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council.

Conversations with the Huron-Wendat Nation continue with the terms of a monitoring agreement in place.

“Completing this important environmental project to restore Chedoke Creek from the damage caused by the combined sewer overflow leak is a top priority,” Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement Thursday.

“The community rightfully wants this work done as soon as possible, and I will continue to work with city staff and stakeholders until a successful restoration is accomplished.”

MECP ordered Hamilton on Dec. 4 to conduct dredging in Chedoke Creek by Dec. 31, 2022.

The targeted dredging will restore the impacts of the sewer overflow that happened between January 2014 and July 2018, which had 24 billion litres of combined sewage discharged.

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