Council begins Peche Island restoration approvals as ponds risk drying out

Peche Island features about 100 acres of naturalized park with walking trails and remnants of Hiram Walker’s summer place on Oct. 2, 2020. (Rich Garton / CTV Windsor)

Windsor city council has agreed to begin the permitting process needed for major restoration work on Peche Island, but the final decision on spending close to $1 million will wait until budget talks in the new year.

The move allows city staff to start the lengthy approval steps required for dredging and shoreline protection on the island.

Councillors will get a full breakdown of costs, environmental impacts, and potential project trade-offs during January’s budget meetings before deciding whether to fund the work.

The matter was brought forward after Drew Dilkens invoked his strong mayor powers on Nov. 6, ordering a report on what it would take to prevent Peche Island’s inland ponds from drying out.

On Monday, Dilkens urged council not to delay the permits, warning that missing this year’s application window, which is tied to fish-spawning rules and multi-agency reviews, could prevent the city from acting for years.

“If you take no action, it’s going to be hard to take future action,” Dilkens said.

Without intervention, the mayor added, the island’s inland ponds are expected to dry out and turn into wetland, making future restoration far more difficult.

The plan calls for clearing out the sediment that has clogged the channel under the island’s pedestrian bridge and blocked water from flowing into the lagoons.

Consultants estimate the work, including dredging and a rock barrier to stop the sediment from returning, would cost between $800,000 and $900,000.

Several councillors said starting the permit process makes sense, but they want to see clear information about which other city projects might be delayed if the Peche Island work goes ahead.

City treasurer Janice Guthrie said those details will be part of the upcoming budget package.

Some funding, about $290,000, is already available in a “natural areas” capital account, but a final decision on the full project will depend on budget priorities.

Coun. Kieran McKenzie also asked for more information on possible environmental impacts, while a consultant from Landmark Engineers said the design is meant to be a long-term, one-time fix.

Even as they asked for more information, councillors said the goal is clear: Preserve the island before it’s too late.

“We’re preserving something really unique and important to keep, because we could lose it,” said Coun. Jim Morrison.

Council will revisit the project during budget deliberations in January.