Plan Input & Review and Regulations – Grey Sauble Conservation Authority

***SERVICE INTERUPTION ADVISORY***
We are currently operating at a temporarily reduced capacity while also experiencing a high number of applications and inquiries at this time. Please anticipate delays in processing and response times.

a) Plan Input & Review

Under the Planning Act, Conservation Authorities are required to be circulated for their comments on development applications. This could include things such as an addition to a home, severing a lot, construction of a golf course, or developing a subdivision. The program involves working at various stages of development, in partnership with many people including landowners, developers, and municipal and county governments.

We also work in conjunction with provincial and federal offices such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Ministry of Environment. Working in cooperation with our municipal, and provincial partners to promote the wise and best use of land and water in the Grey Sauble watershed is a high priority.

Environmental planning promotes the concept of sustainable development by reviewing developments in a comprehensive fashion. When Grey Sauble Conservation reviews developments, it considers the following issues.

Natural Hazards

The Provincial Policy Statement Section 3.1 deals with natural hazards to public health and safety. Under an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Grey Sauble Conservation comments on natural hazards when reviewing proposals. Download the “Understanding Natural Hazards” guide here.

Natural Hazard Areas Include Lands Such as:

flood plains
Great Lakes shoreline
stream corridors
wetlands

steep slopes / erosion prone lands
karst topography
organic soils

Landowners, realtors or lawyers may wish to know about hazard lands issues on a given property in order to assist in decision-making regarding safe development of a property. When a municipality has zoned portions of a property as Hazard or Environmental Protection, landowners may be referred to Grey Sauble Conservation for site assessment before obtaining a building permit.

Grey Sauble Conservation offers its services to landowners to help them meet provincial policy requirements pertaining to water and environmental protection. Planning staff, on request, research the hazards or natural heritage issues which may affect property development. Site visits can be arranged to discuss options with landowners. Fees may apply.

Municipal Planning Services

Grey Sauble Conservation provides technical information and advice to municipalities for their Official Plans, Zoning By-laws, Secondary Plans. This service promotes inclusion of Grey Sauble Conservation policies, the provincial policy statement concerning natural hazards and watershed management.

Development Review

Sub-division proposals, zoning changes and other development proposals are approved by municipalities. Grey Sauble Conservation provides information and expertise to help the municipality and developer meet provincial policy requirements for natural hazards while providing for environmental protection. In conjunction with Ministry of Environment guidelines, the Authority also comments on Stormwater Management issues.

b) Ontario Regulation 151/06

This regulation has been amended by Ontario Reg. 58/13, effective February 6, 2013.

Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act empowers Grey Sauble Conservation to establish regulations related to natural hazards and environmental protection.

Regulation 151/06 requires that a permit be obtained from the Authority when undertaking any of the following:

straightening, changing, diverting or interfering in any way with the existing channel of a river, creek, stream or watercourse or interfering in any way with a wetland.
development adjacent or close to the shoreline of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay or inland lakes, in river or stream valleys, hazardous lands, wetlands or lands adjacent to wetlands

The intent of the permit process is to ensure that development and interference do not impact the control of flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches, pollution or the conservation of land. More specifically the intent of the regulation is to ensure that these activities do not worsen existing erosion or flooding hazards, that new hazards are not created and that new development is not at risk. In addition the regulation helps to maintain the natural features and ecological functions of river and stream valleys, shorelines, watercourses and wetlands.

Development as defined by the Conservation Act means:

the construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind
any change to a building or structure that would have the effect of altering the use or potential use of the building or structure, increasing the size of the building or structure or increasing the number of dwelling units in the building or structure
site grading
the temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere

The lands to which the regulation applies are identified on maps that were produced in accordance with Provincial guidelines. The maps are available for review at the Grey Sauble Conservation office or at local municipal offices.

For any proposed project in or near river or stream valleys, the Lake Huron or Georgian Bay shoreline, the shore of an inland lake, a watercourse or a wetland, please contact Grey Sauble Conservation prior to commencing work to determine if a permit is required.

Note: O.Reg.151/06 has been amended by O.Reg.58/13 under the Conservation Authorities Act.

Download O.Reg.151/06 Download O.Reg.58/13