Lambton Shores residents affected by flooding in the lakeshore area, known as West Bosanquet, will be able to provide input in the development of a Stormwater Management Master Plan.
The municipality recently initiated a Stormwater Management Master Plan after it retained EXP Services Inc. to develop long-term recommendations to address existing gaps in stormwater infrastructure.
West Bosanquet has minimal stormwater infrastructure and residents in the area have reported "persistent" flooding, especially after heavy rainfall events.
Director of Public Works Nick Verhoeven said historically, West Bosanquet was a seasonal living community with cottages but has changed over time.
"There are a lot more full-time residents there and there are a lot more bigger homes being built, so more intensification. So it's just over time, it became more of a need," he said. "The other factor is we seem to be experiencing more intense rain events than in past years. It's a combination of the two that are driving the problems there."
The master plan comes about a year after the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) began in March 2023.
"We're trying to identify the best projects to take on to deal with the projects we're facing there that minimize economic impacts, environmental impacts, archaeological impacts...stuff like that," he said.
While public feedback will be gathered during the study via email, a Public Information Centre is also scheduled to take place sometime this summer.
"At that time, we'll be presenting the background information we've reviewed, so the existing systems in the entire area and the possible solutions to address problems identified," Verhoeven said.
Details on how public comments should be submitted can be found on the municipalities' website.
Verhoeven said once all public feedback is gathered, project leaders will begin looking at preferred alternatives to potentially move forward with.
The notice of study was issued on April 12 and Verhoeven said the process is expected to be completed by the end of the year. However, a presentation is expected to take place at a Lambton Shores council meeting in the fall.
