Permits & Regulations
Flooding and erosion are
recurring problems in areas of the Nottawasaga Valley watershed. Over $1 billion in property and more than 33,000 people are at risk.
Imagine a significant flood event. Fast flowing and high water levels flood homes, erode stream banks and shorelines, and make roads impassable.
NVCA guards against the risks posed by flooding, erosion and other natural hazards by regulating development in the watershed. We do this by administering a regulation made under Section 28 of the
Conservation Authorities Act known as the
Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation (Ontario Regulation 172/06).
Under this regulation, NVCA ensures that development proposals take into consideration natural features like floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, rivers and lakes in order to:
- prevent injuries and loss of life;
- minimize property damage and restoration costs;
- protect adjacent and downstream properties against harm caused by upstream development;
- reduce the costs, both public and private, of emergency operations and evacuations;
- minimize the hazards associated with development in floodplains and areas that are susceptible to erosion, which in future years may require expensive protective measures; and
- protect the natural benefits offered by wetlands, watercourses and shorelines.
If you are planning to do any work near a lake,
river, stream or
wetland, you may require approval from NVCA.
To find out how to learn if your property is regulated, visit our
permit process FAQs.
