Rise of the New Don: Public Forum on the Revitalization of Toronto's Waterfront Set for January 27

 (Toronto, January 25, 2010) -  Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) and Waterfront Toronto will provide the latest updates on the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Protection Project Environmental Assessment (DMNP EA) at a final public forum to be held on Wednesday, January 27.  The DMNP is a significant Waterfront Toronto Revitalization project that was identified as one of the top priorities to all three levels of government back in 2001.

 The DMNP is one of the biggest and most complex public works projects in Canada. When complete, it will add more than 40 hectares of green space to the city, "unlock" over 200 hectares of property for development in Toronto's Port Lands, and protect over 1000 existing properties from flooding. As a result, implementation of the DMNP is integral to the success of Waterfront Toronto's Master Planning of the Lower Don Lands.

The approach for undertaking the EA, the EA Terms of Reference, was approved by the Minister of the Environment on August 2006.  The goal for the DMNP is to eliminate the risk of flooding from the Don River to the most flood vulnerable urban area in Toronto; to create a more natural river channel and associated wetlands for fish and wildlife; and to allow for the development and revitalization of the Lower Don Lands and eastern Port Lands area. The revitalized area will also connect the East Bayfront, Lower Don Lands, Port Lands, and West Don Lands communities to established communities to the, north, south, east and west of the area.

Public forums are an instrumental part of the intensive planning process. Attendees at the January 27th public forum will hear the latest and final installment of work being undertaken in support of the Environmental Assessment for the DMNP and the next steps for this much anticipated project. The presentation will include the conceptual design for the re-aligned Don River, details of the proposed flood protection, sediment and debris management components, the distribution of naturalization features, as well as a preliminary impact assessment of the conceptual design. The public will learn more about the opportunities and design considerations with respect to achieving the desired naturalization and flood protection. Members of the project team will be present to answer questions and to seek community feedback on the project and to address any concerns or hear any suggestions. The public open house will include displays containing information on the Don Mouth and, the Lower Don Lands.

Date:    Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Time:     6:00 pm          Open House

             6:30 pm          Presentation & Discussion

Location: Toronto Fire Academy, 895 Eastern Avenue

Who: Christopher Glaisek, Waterfront Toronto, Paul Murray AECOM, Adele Freeman, Toronto and Region Conservation