Notice of Intent 

Linden Terrace Storm Sewer Upgrades, Ottawa – Public Comments Invited

June 26, 2026 – The National Capital Commission must determine whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects in compliance with sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act and the National Capital Act.

To help inform this determination, the National Capital Commission is inviting comments from the public respecting the determination. It is important to note that all comments received will be considered public. For more information, individual should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments for this project must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this posting, referencing project name and registry number:

By email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca

By mail: Environmental Officer, Federal Approvals and Conservation Programs 

40 Elgin Street 

Ottawa, ON, Canada

K1P 1C7

The National Capital Commission thanks you for your comments, which will be considered in the project determination. Please note that responses may not be provided.

For National Capital Commission general inquiries, please contact:

Email: info@ncc-ccn.ca

Telephone: 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free)

TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free)

www.ncc-ccn.ca

 

The Proposed Project

As part of a City-wide drainage improvements project, the City of Ottawa (City) is looking to improve roadway drainage along Linden Terrace. This location, adjacent to 298 Queen Elizabeth Drive, currently discharges roadway stormwater runoff to Patterson Creek via three (3) 100mm diameter storm sewers that travel from Linden Terrace to the creek through Patterson Creek Park (NCC property). As part of this project, the City of Ottawa would like to abandon two (2) existing storm sewers, while replacing them with one (1) new storm sewer discharging to Patterson Creek. A new alignment through the park has been proposed to minimize impacts to existing vegetation and mature trees.

Portions of the project would take place on National Capital Commission (NCC) lands and are  subject to a federal land use and design approval (FLUDA) under the National Capital Act and an environmental effects determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act. Consultation with the following federal departments will also be required:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): as Patterson Creek is deemed fish habitat, a self-assessment will be undertaken to determine if a Letter of Review from DFO will be required.
• Parks Canada Agency (PCA): The Rideau Canal, and possibly Patterson Creek, are considered lands administered by PCA, and as such, a PCA  In-Water or Shoreline Works Approval may be required.
•  Transport Canada for navigable waterway self-assessment.

The work along Linden Terrace would be completed within the existing roadway with a right-of-way owned by the City of Ottawa. The new 250mm diameter storm sewer is proposed to be constructed through Patterson Creek Park, which is an urban park that features mature trees, vegetation, gardens, walking paths, a bistro, and a creek (Patterson Creek) that flows into the adjacent Rideau Canal.

The construction is currently scheduled to begin in fall 2027 following the seasonal lowering of the water level within the Rideau Canal and Patterson Creek. It is anticipated that the majority of construction activities will take one to two (1-2) months to complete, with landscaping reinstatement to be completed in spring 2028 over the course of one (1) week. The construction area will be accessed with light duty machines and equipment, and all work areas will be fenced accordingly. The use of hydrovac excavation equipment will be used to complete required excavations within close proximity to trees and other sensitive features. Construction work will abide by all municipal by-laws, including noise. 

The proposed alignment of the new storm sewer will avoid the need to remove trees. Grass or other vegetated areas impacted by construction will be replaced with topsoil and sod following construction. The abandonment of the existing storm sewers within the park will be completed by filling them with cementitious grout, which will save trees and shrubs that have been planted within and adjacent to their alignments. Temporary detouring of traffic along the pathway north of Patterson Creek, that runs through the park, will be required to construct the storm sewer to the new outfall location.