News from: September 2016
Ottawa Hazard Mapping Public Open Houses
Members of the public are invited to an upcoming open house to review hazard maps. The RVCA has just completed a review and update of existing hazard maps (floodplain and steep slopes) along the Rideau River from Hogs Back to Rideau Falls.
These maps are typically known as “floodplain mapping,” but they also show areas that are prone to natural hazards such as flooding, erosion and unstable slopes and natural environment features such as wetlands. The mapping takes these features into consideration and will be used by the City of Ottawa and the Conservation Authority when updating Official Plans and Zoning Schedules and in the review of other related Planning Act applications. RVCA will also use this mapping to guide the review of for construction applications in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, shorelines and waterways and along steep slopes.
The goal of this mapping is to help ensure that sound planning decisions are made — keeping people and property safe. Accurate engineered hazard mapping is the foundation of effective floodplain and resource management.
Members of the public are encouraged to the open houses and/or provide comments on the draft mapping.
Open House
November 8, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Brewer Park Pool
100 Brewer Way, Ottawa
Lounge Room
Conservation Authority staff welcome historical records of past flood events, news clippings, photographs and even anecdotal stories to help confirm the reasonableness of calculations and resulting hazard mapping. Local residents are encouraged to share their knowledge to help the Conservation Authority further refine these maps.
For those unable to attend an open house, mapping can also be seen online at www.rvca.ca and comments sent to . The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is one of three Conservation Authorities working on updating and improving hazard maps on behalf of the City of Ottawa. Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and South Nation Conservation are also working on similar projects in their watershed.
Ottawa Septic System Office
The Ottawa Septic System Office (OSSO) is a partnership of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, South Nation Conservation and the RVCA. The OSSO administers Part 8 (sewage systems) of the Ontario Building Code on behalf of the City of Ottawa.
The OSSO is responsible for reviewing septic designs and plans, issuing Building Permits for new and replacement sewage systems and inspections for installations to ensure compliance with approvals. Before building or renovating your home or cottage, contact the OSSO for application information.
For more information, visit the Ottawa Septic System Office www.ottawasepticsystemoffice.ca
Contact information:
phone: 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504
fax: 613-692-0831
Where to find us:
The Ottawa Septic System Office is located at the RVCA's Conservation Centre
Box 599, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive
(at the corner of Rideau Valley Drive and Prince of Wales Drive)
Manotick ON K4M 1A5
Hours:
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
Municipal Planning
The Conservation Authorities Act enables Conservation Authorities to undertake programs to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources throughout the watershed. A significant component of this work is the protection of public health and safety and minimizing property damage from risk associated with natural hazards.
Conservation Ontario, on behalf of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, has a memorandum of understanding with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry and Municipal Affairs and Housing whereby Conservation Authorities have delegated responsibilities for the management of natural hazards (floodplains, hazardous slopes, unstable soils and erosion). In keeping with this responsibility, RVCA provides comments to our municipalities on Planning Act applications and other development related applications from several perspectives; watershed based resource management, planning advisory service, technical advisory service and regulatory responsibilities. RVCA provides planning and technical advice to assist our municipalities in fulfilling their responsibilities as defined in their official plans and the Provincial Policy Statement with respect to water resources, natural hazards and, where requested to do so, natural heritage features. We also assist our municipalities and landowners with the coordination of planning and regulatory requirements under the “Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation (Ontario Regulation 174/06).
Planning applications circulated to the RVCA typically include:
- Official plans and official plan amendments
- Zoning by-laws and zoning by-law amendments
- Plans of subdivision and condominium
- Site plan control
- Applications for consent (severances and lot line adjustments)
- Minor variances
- Lifting of reserves
- Part lot control
Development related reviews undertaken by the RVCA also includes proposals under the:
- Environmental Assessment Act and equivalent process under the Planning Act
- Aggregate Resources Act
- Ontario Water Resources Act
The planning services RVCA provides are defined in memorandums of agreement with the City of Ottawa and our upper tier counties (County of Lanark, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville). The agreements are joint agreements between RVCA, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, South Nation Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority where a municipality’s boundary includes more than one Conservation Authority’s watershed. There have been changes to related legislation and other memorandums with senior levels of government since these agreements were formalized and some sections are no longer applicable. In particular, memorandums of agreement between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and RVCA are no longer in place.
Memorandums of agreement:
Property File Search
A property inquiry/file search provides a written response to current property owners, potential buyers, lawyers, real estate professionals, etc with information including:
- Information and mapping on natural hazards and features such as floodplains, unstable slopes, shorelines, wetlands, etc.
- RVCA regulations and policies that apply to the property
- Information on previous approvals, outstanding orders and/or violations on the property
This file search response provides a formal record of the inquiry and offers valuable information to the client when making decisions to purchase, build on, re-grade or alter natural features on the site. In other cases, the file search response serves as official confirmation that the property is not affected by Authority policies and regulations, and provides the client with added peace of mind. RVCA staff cannot advise you on whether or not to purchase a property; we provide the facts to help you make an educated decision.
How to apply?
To apply for this service, please complete our Property File Search Form. A fee is charged to cover the cost of reviewing each individual site and a formal, written response is issued. Staff require at least two weeks to reply.
Services and Fees
Property Inquiry File Search — Compliance Letter | $280 |
Property Inquiry File Search — Compliance Letter with site inspection | $475 |
Property Inquiry File Search — Compliance Letter — Expedited Service (within five business days) | $545 |
Property Inquiry File Search — Compliance Letter — Expedited Service (within five business days) with site inspection | $740 |
For more details, contact us:
RVCA Resources Specialist
phone: 613.692.3571 or 1.800.267.3504
fax: 613.692.0831