Revisions to Local Implementation Policies: one zone regulatory floodplains
Approved for circulation by the Board of Directors at November 26, 2009 Board meeting
Flooding is considered as the most significant natural hazard in Ontario in terms of threat to life, damage and civil disruption. Prevention, protection and emergency preparedness and response are the cornerstones of hazard management in Ontario. Conservation authority regulations and municipal zoning are two key tools that prevent flood damage and assure public health and safety.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has been responsible for administering regulations affecting development in hazard areas since 1976. In May of 2006 the “Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways” Regulation that we had administered was replaced with a “Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourse” regulation (Ontario Regulation 174/06) that broadened the scope of our regulatory responsibilities.
 As part of our efforts to ensure transparency and consistency in how the regulation program is administered, in 1993 the Rideau Valley’s Board of Directors adopted “Policies Regarding Development under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act”. These policies have been amended in 1999, 2002 and, most recently, in 2006. With our additional responsibilities it is necessary that we revisit these policies to address matters related to development in floodplains, within “river or stream valleys”, development associated with (other) hazard lands including unstable soils (eg. marine clay, organic soils) as well as for interference with watercourses and development in / interference within and adjacent to wetlands. At this particular time our focus is on the need to address matters related to development in floodplains and particularly lands considered as floodway. In Eastern Ontario the 1:100 year flood is considered to represent the regional storm for flood plain planning and protection purposes. In the Rideau River watershed the floodway [1] is considered to be the entire contiguous flood plain as defined by the 1:100 year event.
Under the Ontario Planning Act there is a Provincial Policy Statement which outlines the “provincial interest” in a number of areas including the management of natural hazards such as flooding. In floodways it is the Province’s intent that only limited uses be allowed. To avoid conflict and inconsistency, approaches used in our role as an advisor to municipal approval authorities and policies used in our role as a regulatory agency under the Conservation Authorities Act should be complimentary.
A report has been prepared in consultation with our Board of Directors related to development which may or may not be approved within the 1:100 year floodplain. This report is posted on the web site. A summary of the changes is also posted along with a Table outlining where the RVCA has completed hazard mapping; such mapping is not available throughout the watershed.
Additional reference information including a copy of the policies presently in use are available on our web site at www.rvca.ca (see the orange button “Forms and Fees” on the home page). The Provincial Policy Statement may be viewed by clicking here.
We are receiving comments until January 14, 2010. A follow up report will be prepared for the Conservation Authority Board of Directors meeting scheduled for January 28th.
For further information or if you have any questions, please contact Don Maciver at 613-692-3571 x 1105 or by e mail at don.maciver@rvca.ca.
[1] The only exception would be areas behind engineering flood control works (known as dykes) constructed to protect areas of already existing development in urban areas (Windsor and Brewer Park areas in Ottawa and Kingsview Park area in old Vanier).
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