The mission of the NVCA is working together to value, protect, enhance and restore our watershed resources, for a healthy, sustainable future. 

There are numerous tools in the form of legislation, provincial plans, policies and guidelines that assist the NVCA in achieving this goal. The Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act are the most important tools used by the planning services program to further this goal. These Acts and accompanying regulations, policies and guidelines provide the basis and authority for the NVCA's Planning and Regulation Guidelines.

The Guidelines will assist staff in meeting the NVCA's goal, objectives, targets and planning and permitting obligations. It is important to note that the Planning and Regulation Guidelines will be a dynamic and "living document" that will evolve as new information and technical standards are developed by the NVCA, Conservation Ontario and the province. Updates will be posted on the NVCA web site and notices of revisions will be sent to our municipal partners.

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
    1.1 The role of the planning services program
    1.2 What is the purpose of these guidelines and who is the primary      audience?
    1.3 What approach was used in the development of these guidelines?
    1.4 When will these guidelines come into effect?

2.0 LEGISLATION AND PROVINCIAL PLANS AND POLICY DIRECTION
     2.1 Conservation Authority Act
    2.2 Planning Act
    2.3 Other related legislation
         2.3.1. The Federal Fisheries Act
    2.4 Provincial policies, plans and guidelines
         2.4.1 Provincial Policy Statement 2005
              2.4.1.1 Technical Guidelines Supporting the PPS
                    2.4.1.1.1 Natural Heritage Reference Manual
                    2.4.1.1.2 Understanding Natural Hazards; and detailed                     Technical Guidelines for Great Lakes and Rivers Flood and                     Erosion Hazards - MNR
         2.4.2 Oak Ridges Moraine Plan
              2.4.2.1 Oak Ridges Moraine Technical Guidelines
         2.4.3 Niagara Escarpment Plan
         2.4.4 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
         2.4.5 The Greenbelt Plan
         2.4.6 Provincial Delegation of Authority and Memorandum of                 Understanding (MOU)

3.0 NVCA'S STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
    3.1 Watershed Plan (1996) and Strategic Review (December 2006)
    3.2 Subwatershed Plans (Black Ash, Willow and Innisfil creeks)
    3.3 NVCA's Three-year Business Plan and Annual Budget
    3.4 Conservation Land Protection and Acquistion Policy (May 2002)
    3.5 Pond Policy (May 2005)
    3.6 Engineering's Technical Development Review Guidelines (Stormwater)

4.0 GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUTHORITY'S SECTION 28 REGULATION
    4.1 Procedures for the Implementation of Ontario Regulation 172/06
    4.2 Background to NVCA's Generic Regulation 172/06
    4.3 River or Stream Valleys
    4.4 Great Lakes Shorelines
    4.5 Hazardous Lands
    4.6 Watercourses
    4.7 Wetlands and Adjacent Lands
    4.8 Additional NVCA Natural Hazards Guidelines

5.0 GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN INPUT AND REVIEW PROGRAM
    5.1 Background to the Plan Input and Review program
    5.2 General Plan Input and Review Implementation Guidelines
    5.3 Natural Heritage
    5.4 Water Quality and Quantity
    5.5 Natural Hazards

6.0 GLOSSARY

7.0 REFERENCES AND WEB LINKS

APPENDICES
Appendix 1    Provincial Delegation of Authority and Memorandum of                     Understanding
Appendix 2    Municipal Plan Input and Review Agreements
                    a) Simcoe County MOU
                    b) Streamlining of Consent Applications
Appendix 3    Oak Ridges Moraine Permit Implementation Guidelines
Appendix 4    Conservation Land Protection and Acquisition Policy
Appendix 5    Pond Policy
Appendix 6    Environmental Impact Study
Appendix 7    Two-Zone and Special Policy Areas Floodplain Management                     Approaches
Appendix 8    Interpretation of Clause 2(1)(d) and Clause 2(1)(e) (Great Lakes                     Shoreline) in Conservation Authorities Regulations

To download a copy of the Planning and Regulation Guidelines in its entirety, please click here.