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.

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 natural hazards. Planning staff, on request, review the natural hazards 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 and stormwater quantity. 

b) Ontario Regulation 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits

The intent of the permit process is to ensure that activities for development, alteration and/or interference do not impact the control of flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches, or unstable soil or bedrock. Additionally, it is to ensure these activities are not likely to create conditions or circumstances that, in the event of a natural hazard, might jeopardize the health or safety or persons or result in the damage or destruction of property.

The lands to which the regulation applies are identified on maps that were produced in accordance with Provincial guidelines. These maps can be found on GSCA’s website, Grey County’s website and Bruce County’s website. The maps are also available for review at the Grey Sauble Conservation office.

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.

Section 5 of O. Reg. 41/24 includes exceptions to certain low risk activities from requiring a permit. There are additional exemptions in GSCA’s fee schedule. Please contact GSCA Environmental Planning Staff to determine if a permit is required or if your project is eligible for an exemption.