Opportunity to review and comment on draft watershed planning and regulations policies 

We are preparing new watershed planning and regulations policies to align with the Development, Interference with Wetlands, and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses regulation (Ontario Regulation 182/06) and changes in provincial legislation and land use planning policies, such as the Oak Ridges Moraine Act/Plan, Greenbelt Act, and municipal Official Plans.

These policies will help us provide the best service possible to our watershed municipalities and residents by clearly describing our mandate, setting out requirements that are easily understood, and streamlining how we do business.

Click here to view the draft Watershed Planning and Regulations Policies Manual and provide comments. 

We have a legislative mandate to protect people and their property against natural hazards, and regulate activities that could impact floodplains, shorelines, wetlands, watercourses, and unstable slopes and soils. The policies help us meet these objectives by providing an evaluation, assessment and decision-making tool for reviewing and providing advice to watershed municipalities on land use policies and development applications, and for issuing permits under the Conservation Authorities Act (section 28), Ontario Regulation 182/06.

The Watershed Planning and Regulations Policies Manual replaces the Watershed Management Policies approved by Kawartha Conservation in November 2002. It is expected that this manual will be used by our staff, municipal planning and building department staff, developers and their agents, as well as private landowners who may be seeking approval under either the Planning Act or the Conservation Authorities Act.

A draft of the manual is available for review and comment until March 11, 2011. Click here for more information.