Monthly Archive

Public consultation continues for Stevens Creek Hazard Mapping Project

OTTAWA, March 30, 2022 – Public consultation on the draft hazard mapping study for Stevens Creek from Malakoff Road to the Rideau River will continue until April 29, 2022. 

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, has completed a hazard mapping study for Stevens Creek from Malakoff Road to the Rideau River. Virtual public consultation began late November 2021. Affected landowners were notified by mail and staff have been responding to inquiries by telephone calls, e-mail, virtual meetings, small group in-person meetings and site visits. In some cases the draft mapping has been refined based on site-specific information. 

With the recent easing of provincial COVID-19 restrictions, the RVCA is now able to host an in-person presentation and question and answer session to provide an additional opportunity for public consultation. 

Thursday, April 21, 2022
Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre
2300 Community Way, North Gower

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.
Question & Answer period to follow

Anyone unable to attend can contact an RVCA Resource at 613-692-3571, toll-free at 1-800-267-3504 or by email at .  Additional information is also available on our website at www.rvca.ca/stevens-creek. 

The new mapping shows areas that are subject to natural hazards such as flooding and unstable slopes or have important natural features such as wetlands. The goal of this mapping is to help ensure sound land use planning, development and resource management decisions are made that protect people and property. 

Once approved, the mapping will be used by the City of Ottawa when updating its Official Plan and Zoning Schedules and in the review of development applications under the Planning Act. RVCA will also use the mapping to guide the review of development applications submitted under the RVCA’s Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.

This study is being done through a collaboration involving the City of Ottawa and the Rideau Valley, Mississippi Valley and South Nation Conservation Authorities. The City recognized a need to update its zoning schedules based on up-to-date hazard mapping and has provided contributions enabling the Conservation Authorities to move ahead with these studies sooner than would otherwise be possible. For a complete list on ongoing work, please visit www.rvca.ca.

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Don’t let huts or hockey nets go down with the ice

OTTAWA, March 1, 2022 – It’s officially March, and that means it's time to haul in your fishing huts, hockey nets and other gear before the ice is out. 

Building materials, rink lights, benches and shovels, garbage and other waste can pollute our rivers and lakes, be toxic for fish and wildlife and create hazards for boaters and swimmers in the spring. 

Under Ontario law, Eastern Ontario fishing huts must be removed by March 15. However, as the sun gets stronger and the weather begins to warm, it’s wise to remove them sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you may find the ice too thin to access your belongings! It is an offence under the Public Lands Act to leave your ice hut out after ice break up, even if that occurs before the removal deadline.

So take some time this week to collect your belongings, dispose of your garbage and dismantle any structures you’ve built on the ice. Protect and respect the river that has kept you going all through the long winter months! 

For complete fishing hut regulations visit www.ontario.ca/page/ice-fishing. To learn about water quality in your area and how to improve it, visit watersheds.rvca.ca.

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