1. Mississippi Valley Conservation Mississippi Lakes Association June 4, 2011 Matt Craig Manager of Planning and Regulatory Services www.mvc.on.cainfo@mvc.on.ca613.259.2421

2. Overview Background on MVC Programs Planning & Regulations Lake Planning

3. Ontario Conservation Authorities Conservation Authorities Act passed in 1946 Provides for establishment of Conservation Authority at the request of municipalities Designates participating municipalities, representation and governance Defines mandate and powers of the Conservation Authority Mandate “To undertake in the area over which it has jurisdiction a program designed to further the conservation, restoration, management and development of natural resources…”

4. MVC Facts established 1968 4455 sq.km 11 municipalities 15 members 25 staff

5. MVC Board of Directors Finance & Administration Advisory Committee Policy & Priorities Advisory Committee General Manager Regulations Committee Mill of Kintail Museum Committee Secretary-Treasurer Community Relations Coordinator Manager Planning & Regulations Water Management Supervisor Operations Supervisor Organizational Structure Finance Administration Office equipment Conservation Areas Education Watershed planning Monitoring Planning Advisory Regulations Dam operations Dam safety Flood forecasting & warning Low water response Vehicles & equipment Asset management Capital maintenance Field operations Property security Information Management Supervisor Manager Science & Assessment Unit

6. Integrated Watershed Management Environmental regulations Floodplain mapping Watershed monitoring & planning Flood forecasting & warning Water control structures Planning Advisory Service Private land stewardship Information & education Land management

7. Conservation Information Watershed Report Card First Report Card released in 2007 Standard means to report on watershed conditions comparable to other Ontario watersheds Next release scheduled for 2012 State of the Lake Reports Yearly reports based on Watershed Watch findings Selected lakes monitored in five year cycles to help determine trends, identify problems and successes

8. Legislation/Regulations/Policies Conservation Authorities Act Emphasizes partnerships Drainage Act Required circulation Planning Act Required circulation (Regulations under Planning Act) Building Code Act (Part 8 -Sewage Systems) Approvals, re inspection, enforcement MOA’s Fisheries Act Clearance/ monitoring / referral Flood plain regulations Approvals, inspection, enforcement Conservation Area Regulations (S. 29) Ontario Water Resources Act (permit to take water) Environmental Assessment Act (proponent / participant)

9. Mississippi Lake Facts 1013 properties within 30 m of shore Average of 19 Planning applications per year (275 ) Average of 18 Section 28 permits issued per year (90) Subdivisions - 2 adjacent – 6 close proximity 67 km of Shoreline, Area = 24 sq km 2 Provincially Significant Wetlands over 850 ha Floodplain mapping prepared in 1978 based on 1976 photography

11. Planning Advisory Service Conformance to Provincial Policy OP/OPA’s; zoning; bylaws; consents; subdivisions; variances; condominiums Delegated (1995) role to comment on natural hazards Flooding/erosion/unstable soils MOU with Upper Tier municipalities (Ottawa/Lanark County) Natural Heritage Review Environmental Impact Assessments, technical reports Water quality Fisheries impacts Wetland function Storm water management Hydrogeology Environmental Assessments Permit-to-take-water review

12. Why are there regulations?

13. Regulations Protect: Property Life Infrastructure Public expenditure

14. Section 28 Regulation Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Ont. Regulation 153/06 Permit required prior to undertaking work subject to the Regulation in a regulated area Identified hazardous lands (flood plains/unstable soils) Water courses (> 125 ha) Shorelines Provincially Significant Wetlands

15. Docks Other Legislation: DFO - Fisheries Act MNR - Public Lands Act Transport Canada - Navigable Waters Protection Act Township - By laws Type 1 Basic Consultation Type 2 Letter of Clearance Type 3 Category 1 Permit

16. Shoreline Alterations What can be approved in preferred order Shoreline Plantings Bioengineering Techniques Rip Rap with Shoreline planting

17. Section 28 Regulation cont’d Four Tests flooding, pollution, erosion and conservation of land Applications reviewed based on MVC Board approved policies Permit issued if in opinion of staff, application conforms with policies Hearing conducted if not in conformance MVC Regulations Committee may grant or deny permit with or without conditions If permit denied, applicant has 30 days to appeal decision to the Mining and Lands Commissioner If work undertaken without permit, investigation is initiated which may lead to prosecution

18. Agency Legislation and Permits/Approvals Website Common Activities/Applications MVC Conservation Authorities Act, Ontario Regulation 153/06 www.mvc.on.ca (613) 259-2421 -Development and site alteration within and adjacent to the 1:100 year flood plain, regulated wetlands, and potentially unstable slopes -Filling Activities and Alterations to Property Grades -Shoreline Alterations including erosion control, docks and boathouses -Initial contact for works that may impact fish habitat such as docks and boathouses Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Fisheries Act Operational statements (low risk projects) www.dfo- mpo.gc.ca/regions/c entral/habitat/index -eng.htm Initial Contact: MVC - Impacts to Fish Habitat - Docks where applicable Transport Canada -Navigable Waters Protection Act www.tc.gc.ca/eng/ marine-menu.htm - Floating Wharfs -Docks where applicable OMNR -Lakes and River Improvements Act -Public Lands Act www.mnr.gov.on.ca/ en/Business/Water/ 2ColumnSubPage/ST EL02_163602.html Initial Contact: MVC -Shoreline Alterations -Docks where applicable -Boathouses below High Water Mark Municipality-Ontario Building Code Act -Planning Act -Building Permits for construction -Septic Systems -Site alterations -Planning approvals for development What Agencies May Be Involved

19. What is a Lake Plan? It is a Strategic Action Plan developed by the lake community to understand and preserve the special character of their lake

20. Mississippi Lake Features encompasses four municipalities 67 km shoreline >1300 residences 2900 sq km drainage area intensive redevelopment Conditions mesotrophic lake extensive floodplain/wetland areas

21. Mississippi Lake Watershed Context

22. Who Should Be Involved? Initiated and steered by the lake community (Property owners, Lake/Cottage Association, Tourist Operators/Business Owners) In consultation with Other Community Partners: Conservation Authority Municipality Provincial Ministries & Federal Departments (MNR, MOE, MNDM, DFO) Stewardship Council Public Health Unit or Other Septic Approval Authority Interest Groups (snowmobile club, anglers/hunters)

23. Objectives & Benefits Identify specific lake values, issues and impacts Compile a current inventory of resources Promote community discussion and action Educate and communicate with all community members Set future vision for the lake and environmental and social targets Recommend stewardship actions Recommend land use policy

24. Common Issues Considered Water quality /aquatic vegetation/ algae blooms Shoreline protection, health Development pressure, redevelopment, commercial development Erosion control Invasive species Water levels Impacts of boating Loss of wildlife

25. Typical Outcomes/Actions Communication and Education Stewardship initiatives Shoreline Rehabilitation, Enhancement Projects Septic Re-inspection Monitoring Recommendations for Land Use Regulations (OP and ZBL policies, Site Plan Control)

26. MVC’s Role in Lake Planning Lake Data and Inventory Information w ater quality, invasive species, water level data, etc. Mapping Support base mapping, air photos Technical Support/Additional Data Collection Facilitation and Peer Review assist with grant applications, open houses and meetings, dissemination of information, etc. Implementation stewardship initiatives, through municipal plan review, Watershed Plans, etc.

27. Lake Planning in Mississippi Valley Canonto Lake Plan MVC staff on the Steering Committee Kashwakamak Lake Plan steering committee seeking Lake Association endorsement in 2011 Patterson Lake Plan MVC staff provided technical and advisory support MVC monitors water quality on over 40 of the largest lakes in our watershed (since 1998) There is growing interest in Lake Planning in Eastern Ontario

28. Questions ? Lake Planning Alyson Symon Watershed Planner asymon@mvc.on.ca