​A new IWM Plan for the Nottawasaga Valley

NVCA, in partnership with our watershed municipalities and the counties of Grey, Simcoe and Dufferin, and with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Climate Implementation Fund, is in the process of developing a new IWM plan for the Nottawasaga Valley.  

Our most recent Watershed Management Plan was developed in 1996. Ten years later, we conducted a strategic review of the plan to ​​address issues that had arisen since the plan was completed. With increasing growth pressures and a changing climate, along with direction from the Province for planning and development to take an IWM approach, the time is right for an update.​​​

We've contracted Ecosystem Recovery, an engineering a​nd geosciences consultancy, to guide the IWM plan development throughout 2018-19. The studies and reports from this process will be made available as they are completed.

Starting in the winter of 2018, we are taking a close look at our local environment by undertaking a "Watershed Characterization Study." ​This first step in the IWM planning process involves collecting and analyzing large amounts of data about the watershed, including details on:

• water quality and quantity
  
• aquatic and terrestrial environments
  
• groundwater
  
• flood and erosion hazards
  
• economic and recreational land uses
  
• ecological assets
  
• climate and the effects of climate change
  

Watershed Char​acterization Report​ (pdf - 43 MB) - This detailed analysis looks to capture a current snapshot of the Nottawasaga Valley watershed. It provides an overview of the status of environmental, ecological and economic elements in the watershed, including some focus on related community services. Change drivers such as population growth and climate change are discussed, as are the benefits derived from ecological assets. ​

St​ep Two - Identify Watershed Issues, Opportunities and Constraints

In step two of the IWM planning process, we will identify the issues, opportunities and constraints facing the watershed. Working with municipalities, indigenous communities and sector stakeholders, with opportunity for input from interested members of the public, we'll explore issues specific to the Nottawasaga Valley watershed. These issues may include: 

• climate change - including risks of increased extreme weather and flooding, unpredictable weather patterns, changing ecosystems, invasive species, etc. 
  
• land use changes - growth and development, use of resources, etc.
  
• tourism and recreational uses of environmental features
  

​Stakeholder Meeting 1 - Presentation​ (pdf - 6​ MB) ​- This presentation was given at the first IWMP stakeholder meeting held July 26, 2018. Included in the presentation are an overview of the NVCA, a summary of the Watershed Characterization Report, and the questions posed to those attending the meeting to gather information regarding watershed issues and stressors.

Step Three - Develop Strategies and Plan

In the final step of developing the IWM plan, we will look to craft solutions or adaptive strategies to address watershed issues. Again, this will be done in concert with municipalities, indigenous communities and stakeholders, with input from the public.

Once it is drafted, the plan will be reviewed and considered for approval by the NVCA board of directors. Pending approval, the final plan will be circulated to municipalities, counties and others for incorporation into their planning decisions (steps four and five of the IWM planning process).

Stakeholder Meeting 2 - Presentation​ (pdf - 2​ MB) ​- This short presentation was given at the second IWMP stakeholder meeting held Oct 18, 2018. Included in the presentation are an overview of NVCA's IWMP process, a draft vision for the IWMP, a very brief overview of the vision and watershed characterization study, and then detail on how the group would work through the initial stages of developing strategies to respond to identified issued.

NVCA - IWMP Overview of Existing Issues​ (pdf - 650kb) - This document summarizes the watershed issues identified through the Watershed Characterization Report (above). It then outlines how stakeholders, the technical study team and NVCA staff developed strategies in response to these issues. These initial strategies wil​l form the basis for the list of recommended strategies being developed for the final IWMP report. Note that the appendices from this report are available upon request to NVCA.

Nottawasga Valley IWMP 2019​ (pdf - 8.8 MB) - Developed over an 18-month period, the IWMP will guide efforts to ma​intain and enhance the watershed’s natural heritage resources.  The plan was approved by the NVCA's board of directors at their June 2019 meeting.

Sector & Public Input

Talking to other groups and gathering their input is an important part of the IWM planning process. Municipalities, counties and indigenous communities were invited to engage in the process. Key stakeholders from a variety of sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, development, environment and business are being consulted throughout the process.

Questions​

Questions​​ about the IWM plan and process should be directed to Chris Hibberd, Director of Watershed Management Services.