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In
response to a recent article in the “Apsley Voice”, I would like to offer
the following for the purposes of clarity to ensure residents residing
within the Crowe Valley watershed boundaries receive information that
would be pertinent and essential, should future shoreline activities be
considered in the future.
Before I begin my commentary, I would like to
state that the dissemination of information outlining the programs and
services offered by the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority to the public
will be an ongoing process for our watershed residents. Regrettably, even
with all of the communication tools at our disposal, the ripple effect
still has to take its course and even then, there will be those who may be
missed. It just seems to be a fact of life.
Indeed, as per the article, “New Permits
Required for Chandos by the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority”, the CVCA
now administers Ontario Regulation 159/06 the Development, Interference
with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.
There is a regulated area which surrounds all wetlands and waterbodies
within the Crowe Valley watershed. The watershed is comprised of portions
of 10 municipal partners within the CVCA. North Kawartha, being one of
those partners, has a substantial portion of the municipality located
within the CVCA’s boundaries. This means Chandos Lake and all wetlands and
waterbodies within those boundaries are subject to the aforementioned
regulation.
As per the provincial government’s initiative
to reduce red tape, steps were taken to bring clarity and consistency
across the province, which for Conservation Authorities, began with the
review of the Conservation Authorities Act in 1999. This eventually led to
an amendment to the existing regulations. The Ministry of Natural
Resources, in conjunction with Conservation Ontario created a Peer Review
Committee for the purposes of developing generic regulations for all
Conservation Authorities across the province. Since that initiative, the
Crowe Valley Conservation Authority has followed a process outlined by the
Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure CVCA’s submission conformed to
provincial standards. Briefly, in order to inform the public, the
Authority has had public information sessions, completed a mailout to
approximately 100 key contacts in the public domain and advertised in
local newspapers. In addition, several key discussions have been held at
the Conservation Authority board with the appropriate and necessary
motions to comply with the submission. Once this process was completed in
its entirety, Ontario Regulation 159/06 was approved by Minister Ramsay on
28 April 2006.
Since that time, the CVCA board has made
preparations to administer the regulations, including the approval of
policies and procedures by the Authority board at the annual meeting in
February and providing information sessions for our member municipalities
in the spring of 2007. The process has been extensive with the CVCA
meeting or exceeding provincial requirements along the way.
The author of the Apsley Voice article is
correct that an application will need to be submitted to the Authority for
approval for a permit. This process is not unique to this Authority. In
fact, of the 36 Conservation Authorities across the province, the CVCA was
the last Authority to adopt and implement the regulations.
This office is making every effort possible,
given the resources available to the CVCA to ensure a reasonable
turnaround time of approximately 10 days to two weeks. Staff are cognizant
that residents wish to proceed with their projects, additions etc. as
quickly as possible and lengthy delays are to be avoided.
As well, at this particular point, I would
like to note that the Authority does not charge for a septic system.
However, should a septic system require alterations in the regulated zone,
such as additional fill, then an application would be needed.
I would like to inform the public that the
regulations are not so restrictive as to not allow any development. The
intent of the regulations is to ensure that proper development occurs. A
good example would be an addition on a cottage. The cottage may be located
in the regulated zone (and hence potentially the floodplain), but the
addition would be subject to flood proofing standards. So, proper
development occurs and the threat of damage from flooding is minimized or
eliminated for the new construction. Of course, every situation is unique
and reviewed on its own merits. Fortunately, the CVCA has a trained
regulations officer who reviews the application and issues the permits.
Why is there such concern for new development?
The first is that new construction is not being placed in harm’s way and
people who would be using the structures would not be exposed to potential
dangers or loss of life from flooding issues. So, that is a good thing to
prevent future development being exposed to damage and/or destruction and
protecting people. It’s a preventative approach that complements the
CVCA’s other programs and services.
The second goal/benefit is that the
hydrological function of Chandos Lake (or other waterbodies) is being
preserved as well as possible at this point in time. In essence, the flood
storage capacity of the lake is not being altered (which it would be
should the floodplain be allowed to be filled) and the preservation of
wetland areas are maintained.
Not only do the regulations help to prevent
problems for people and their personal property, but it will help to
preserve the lake as it is today, which are the reasons why you come back
to the cottage or take up permanent residence on the lake.
I understand that the regulations are new and
there will be an adjustment period, but for the sake of, for example
Chandos Lake, it really will be worth it now and into the future to
protect people, the environment and development as those cottages and
residences are passed onto future generations.
Tim Pidduck
General Manager/ Secretary-Treasurer Crowe
Valley Conservation Authority
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with a rusty head; the Swainson is all olive and the Veery is all rusty.
Next time you are walking in the woods, challenge yourself to identify
these thrushes and listen for their lovely, flute-like songs, especially
at dusk.