Learn About Kingston Airport Expansion’s Environmental Impact

Published on: 2016/03/29 - in Featured Releases

Residents are invited to learn more about the environmental impacts of the Kingston Airport expansion project at the community information session to be held on Wednesday, March 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Davies Hall at St. Lawrence College, 100 Portsmouth Ave.

“As part of the expansion project, we wanted to ensure the infrastructure changes would not affect any environmental elements including plants and animals,” says David Snow, manager, Kingston Airport. “We hired MMM Group to conduct this screening level environmental assessment and provide a plan to minimize any impacts.”

As a first step in implementing the airport infrastructure expansion project, the City of Kingston is completing a screening level environmental assessment (EA) study to determine the environmental and social impacts of extending the main runway and expanding the passenger terminal building.

The scope of the EA study is to:

• Assess the impacts on animal and plant habitat, potential species at risk, migratory birds, and natural vegetation
• Identify environmental remediation requirements and recommend a remedial action plan, if required
• Determine the potential archeological impacts of the airport construction work
• Recommend mitigation measures to address identified impacts

While the expansion project is not subject to requirements under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the City is completing this study to exercise due diligence, comply with other environmental legislation and inform residents of the findings.

Following the EA presentation, and in response to community feedback, City staff and representatives from MMM Group will provide information on the 2013 assessment on noise exposure.

Please note: a separate land-use study identifying a number of development scenarios and a development plan to guide future use of the land at Kingston’s airport is also underway. A meeting to present the findings from that study will be announced in April.

For more information on Kingston Airport (YGK), go to CityofKingston.ca/airport.


Release source: City of Kingston | PhotoDavid Megginson (cc)