Strategic Plan - Environmental Sustainability

Implementing practices and policies to ensure the health and well-being of the environment for current and future generations. Environmental sustainability is vital for adapting to the impacts of climate change, preserving biodiversity, and improving the quality of life for residents in the community. 

Objectives

  • Implement the Climate Change Adaptation Plan recommendations through collaboration with various community partners and updates to the City's business practice
  • Reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing energy efficiency
  • Foster a healthy and resilient urban forest ecosystem that contributes to biodiversity and improved air quality
  • Reduce the impact of wet weather events and combined sewer overflows on water bodies and ecosystems
  • Ensure critical infrastructure assets' long-term sustainability and functionality through targeted repair and maintenance programs

Actions

Climate and sustainability

Aerial view of Niagara Falls
On track

  • Approved the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2023
  • Grant for Climate Liaison not approved
  • "Green Team" to work on climate goals and progress on 41 key benchmarks within the plan
  • Grant for Climate Intern approved- intern coming on board in 2026 (Jan-June)
  • GHG Emissions Inventory joint project ongoing with 7 Niagara Local Area Municipalities
  • FCM Building Retrofit Funding Application Feasibility Study submitted 

  • "Green Team" will reconvene to share progress on climate goals
  • Climate intern to set meetings with external stakeholders to establish collaborative opportunities to work on some of the 41 community-focused benchmarks
  • Add climate considerations into the plan for city facilities, including Chippawa Willoughby Arena Redevelopment

Stormwater management and drainage programs

Stormwater pond encircled by vegetation
85% complete | On track

  • Budget approved for municipal drain, ditch inventory, and Stormwater Management Facility cleaning
  • Council considered changes to the existing Residential Urban Drainage Assistance Policy
  • Cleanout and upgrade of Forestview Storm Water Management Facility
  • Cleanout of Domenic Crescent Storm Water Management Facility
  • Phragmite herbicide application in the Fernwood SWMF and other drainage courses - fall 2025
  • Tee Creek Drain Maintenance – Completed in winter 2024/2025
  • Union Marsh Drain Maintenance – Tender awarded and NPCA permits obtained. Construction in winter 2025/2026.

  • Cleanout of the Fernwood Subdivision and Chippawa West Phase 1 Stormwater Management Facilities - 2026
  • Replacement of 6 rural culverts and hydraulic investigation of two high priority locations - 2026
  • Storm sewer condition assessment program continuing

Infrastructure state of good repair program

Aerial view of Whirlpool Road and the installation of the pedestrian bridge over the canal.
On track

  • Projects approved in the 2024 and 2025 capital budget
  • Plans for 2026 and a 10-year forecast are underway
  • Main Street reconstruction from Willoughby to Sodom
  • Ferry Street reconstruction from Stanley to Ellen
  • Beck Road bridge rehabilitation
  • Resurfacing Portage Road from Thorold Stone Road to Mountain Road
  • Stanley Avenue Business Park watermain replacements Phases 1, 2, and 3, with Phase 4 to be completed in 2025
  • Drummond and Portage Road reconstruction from Thorold Stone Road to Morrison, Phase 1, with Phases 2 and 3 to be completed in 2025/2026
  • City-wide sanitary sewer lining program years 1, 2, and 3, with 4 to be completed in 2025
  • Maple, Elm and Homewood sewer separation and road reconstruction (2025)
  • Whirlpool Road reconstruction from Stanley Avenue to the OPG Canal bridge (2025)
  • Portage Road Reconstruction between Althea Street and Thorold Stone Road (underway in November 2025)
  • $12,787,000 approved in 2025 Capital Budget for road improvements across 22.85 km

  • Willoughby Drive reconstruction phase 1 (2025) from Weinbrenner to Cattell – early 2026 start
  • Launch of the Operation Smooth Road campaign and the development of a 5-year road program

Infrastructure servicing master plan

Aerial view of bride from Chippawa area to north Niagara Falls
95% complete | Delayed

  • Consulting assignment is underway
  • Growth forecast included in the Development Charges Background Study
  • Sanitary and storm models built and calibrated
  • PIC #1 - December 2023
  • PIC #2 - December 2024
  • Draft Growth and State of Good Repair Programs delivered to Staff in late 2025

  • Completion and report to Council in 2026

Wet weather and combined sewer overflow strategy

Flooded roadway
95% complete | On track

  • Included in the Infrastructure Servicing Master Plan

  • Completion and report to Council in 2026
  • Detailed assessment following the completion of the strategy in 2026

Strategic urban forest management plan

Wooded Firemen's Park
75% complete | On track

  • Completed a jurisdiction scan
  • Regional evaluation of forest/canopy cover completed in 2024 (30.5%, or 6,343 ha of 20,833 ha)
  • Updated the tree inventory
  • Completion of field audits and i-tree eco analysis

  • Phase 2 proposed in the 2026 budget to include stakeholder engagement, development of urban forest goals, and policy considerations

Review of active transportation opportunities

Family riding bicycles along path
85% complete | Delayed

  • Kickoff of Active Transportation Master Plan as part of the Transportation Master Plan
  • Public Open House #1
  • Candidate network drafted
  • Presented project to various committees, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Environmental Action Committee, and local cycling organizations
  • Public Open House #2 – presentation of the final draft of the trails and cycling network to the public
  • Draft policies provided to Staff for maintenance, travel demand management and wayfinding
  • Draft phasing and costing for the network provided to Staff
  • Completion of the first phase of the NS&T trail

  • Monitoring program and strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the project
  • Presentation to Council in 2026

Energy management and greenhouse gas reduction plan

Woodlot with looping paths
<25% complete | Delayed

  • The contractor is currently auditing our highest-use facility (Gale Centre) to identify specific opportunities to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
  • The conservation demand management plan is nearing completion by the consultant and will provide guidance for future capital replacement projects

  • Detailed building energy audits for facilities with the greatest energy demands
  • Implementing projects based on the outcome of audits and in alignment with the CDM plan
  • Preparation of budgets for future conservation projects

Create a new woodland restoration and preservation policies

Community Garden planters at the MacBain Community Centre
75% complete | On track

  • Implementation of the Woodland Management Plan recommendations in Baden Powell Park (2024/2025)
  • Policies are scoped in the new Official Plan
  • Policy directions presented to Council on February 25, 2025

  • Draft policy language included in phase 4 of the study (draft plan, 2026)

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca