Conservation Ontario: Changes Fall Short of Addressing Conservation Authorities’ Concerns

December 5, 2020

The following is a media release issued by Conservation Ontario.

New changes made to the Schedule 6 amendments proposed for conservation authorities (CAs) fall well short of addressing their concerns and even introduce new additions which create more delays and costs, as well as allow the Minister to disregard CA science-based decision-making for development.

“We have to continue to ask the Province to withdraw Schedule 6 of Bill 229,” says Kim Gavine, General Manager of Conservation Ontario, the association that represents the 36 conservation authorities. “These changes don’t address our concerns and further erode our ability to protect people, property and our environment.”

While it appears that a few amendments around board governance may address some of our concerns and those of our municipal partners, Gavine points out that, overall, the proposed changes don’t go far enough, particularly around planning, permitting and enforcement.

As well, a new section has been added to Schedule 6 which requires the conservation authority to issue a permit when the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issues Ministers Zoning Orders (MZO) which can override conservation authority science-based decisions. In fact, the new section requires the conservation authority to issue the permit even if the application does not meet the criteria for issuing a permit and/or contravenes provincial policies and plans. Bottom line – the criteria for issuing permits is for protecting lives and property against flooding and other natural hazards.

The addition of the MZO section and all of the other changes, combined, will create even more delays and costs, not just for conservation authorities but also for municipalities and applicants, Gavine points out.

Many amendments still remain such as those that remove and/or significantly hinder the conservation authorities’ role in regulating development. The Minister will still be allowed to make decisions on permit appeals and issue permits without watershed data and expertise from the conservation authorities.

As well, Conservation authorities find themselves in a position where they are basically the only landowners in Ontario who cannot appeal most planning decisions which affect their lands. Gavine points out that conservation authorities are the second largest landowners in Ontario and this seems to conflict with one of the Province’s proposed mandatory programs that CAs are to manage their own lands to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Conservation Ontario made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on November 30th. These are available on our website: https://conservationontario.ca/policy-priorities/conservation-authorities-act/standing-committee-submissions

Conservation Ontario: Province Tying Conservation Authorities Up in Red Tape – Repeal Schedule 6

November 18, 2020

The following is a media release issued by Conservation Ontario.

Conservation Ontario (CO) recommends the Province repeal (remove) Schedule 6 which amends the Conservation Authorities Act and the Planning Act because the changes being proposed will create more red tape and higher costs for Ontario taxpayers as well as threaten the independent watershed-based approach used by conservation authorities (CAs) in land use planning.

There are a number of proposed changes contained in Bill 229: Protect, Support and Recover from COVID 19 Act (Budget Measures Act) which Conservation Ontario believes will have the potential to add significant delays and costs in conservation authority enforcement, planning and permitting processes as well as ultimately have the potential for significant impacts on Ontario’s ability to provide cost-effective flooding and natural hazards management/protection and drinking water protection to Ontarians.

The proposed amendments are not administrative but, in fact, could have significant environmental impact due to decisions being made without consideration of the local watershed science and data provided by conservation authorities.

“The changes the Province is proposing will achieve the opposite of what they say they want to do which is to reduce red tape and create conditions for growth,” said Kim Gavine, General Manager of Conservation Ontario. Conservation Ontario represents Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities which are community-based watershed management agencies. Conservation Ontario was already on track with addressing these issues through CO’s Client Service and Streamlining Initiative which rolled out last year.

Through a review of the current permit review process, Conservation Ontario estimates that the new changes to the permitting appeals process could delay approvals by as much as 200 days. As well costs can be expected to increase due to more staff time being required for permit appeals processes rather than time being spent on actually issuing permits.
Changes to regulatory enforcement tools will also increase costs. During the pandemic, conservation authorities have been experiencing an increase in illegal activities on CA-owned and/or regulated lands. Extensive remediation costs and damages to neighbouring properties can be avoided if tools such as enhanced powers of inspection and stop (work) orders are available to CA officers.

Conservation Ontario feels that if the changes around the planning appeals process proceed, we run the risk of the plan review process having a piecemeal approach which could ultimately create the potential for cumulative negative environmental impacts.

“What the Province is proposing to do through the changes in Schedule 6 significantly threatens the independent, watershed-based approach of Ontario’s conservation authorities that municipalities and others rely on to protect our natural resources and to steer development away from creating or exacerbating flooding and other natural hazards,” Gavine said. “This isn’t what you would expect a government to do in light of the growing and more complex climate change impacts we are experiencing.”

“Conservation authorities bring the local watershed science to the planning process. They apply this knowledge in permit and planning application reviews. With the new ability of the Minister to issue a permit, it’s not clear what science the Minister will rely upon to review an application and issue a permit. The proposed changes raise the risks of having the permitting process veer away from a science-based decision,” Gavine says.

“Conservation authorities rely on science-based watershed information to ensure that Ontario’s communities are protected from upstream to downstream,” Gavine points out.

Conservation Ontario is encouraging residents and watershed partners to reach out to the Premier, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as their local MPPs to request them to repeal Schedule 6 of the Bill 229: Protect, Support and Recover from COVID 19 Act (Budget Measures Act).

Additional Resources

Backgrounder: Concerns About Changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act Which Affect Conservation Authorities
More information on the proposed changes to Schedule 6: Conservation Authorities Act – Conservation Matters
Email your representatives: Retain the Current Mandate of the Province’s 36 Conservation Authorities

Flood Warning Termination (Event Message #3)

November 16, 2020

The Flood Warning issued on Sunday, November 15, 2020 for the Lake Erie shoreline is now terminated.

During Sunday’s event, Lake Erie flood levels reached an elevation in the Long Point/Port Dover area of 176.0 metres (IGLD85) and 176.5 metres (IGLD85) in Port Colborne. This event produced flood levels similar to those reached on October 31, 2019.

Lake Erie static water levels are expected to remain near record highs over the coming months. High static water levels increase the risk of flooding caused by moderate to severe wind-driven surges. Strong lakeshore surge events typically occur from fall through spring.

Due to the forecast for high lake levels, the previously issued Shoreline Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook remains in effect until further notice.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.

Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-842-4242, extension 232 should further information be required.

Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Warning (Event Message #2)

November 15, 2020

Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Warning for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning, forecasting strong southwesterly winds reaching 90 km/h this afternoon and continuing in the evening.

Forecast models are currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 1.16 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.7 meters (IGLD 1985) and in the Port Colborne area 2.0 meters above the current level to an elevation of 176.5 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights greater than 3.0 meters in the Long Point area and up to 1.9 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed. Water levels are expected to peak Sunday evening.

With the forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

Haldimand County residents and businesses within LPRCA’s watershed should be aware flooding could reach Lake Erie Flood Zones 1-5. The public is advised to familiarize themselves with flood warning zones mapping in Haldimand County on their website.

Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor conditions along the lakeshore.

The public is asked to stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline due to strong wave action and elevated water levels and follow the direction of local flood coordinators and emergency officials. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.

This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until noon, Monday, November 16th, 2020.

Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.

Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge (Event Message #1)

November 14, 2020

Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge for the entire shoreline within its jurisdiction.

Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning, and is forecasting 75 km/h south winds Sunday morning, veering southwest 85 km/h by Sunday afternoon and turning west 85 km/h by Sunday evening. During this event gusts up to 115 km/h are forecasted. With these forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in the western Long Point area by 0.8 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.5 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area by 1.7 meters above the current level to an elevation of 176.4 meters (IGLD 1985). Levels are expected to remain elevated into Monday. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to 3.0 meters in the Long Point area and 1.7 m along Haldimand County’s shoreline.

Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor conditions along the lakeshore.

People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

This Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until 9:00 A.M. on Monday, November 16th, 2020. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasts and will update this message as necessary.

Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge (Event Message #1)

November 2, 2020

Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge for the entire shoreline within its jurisdiction.

Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning, and is forecasting west/southwest winds Monday afternoon and into the evening. Winds are expected to reach 55 km/h with gusts up to 90 km/h. With these forecasted winds, minor flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in the western Long Point area by 0.4 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.1 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area by 0.85 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.55 meters (IGLD 1985). Levels are expected to remain elevated between Monday afternoon and the early hours of Tuesday. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to 2.0 meters in the Long Point area and 1.65 m along Haldimand County’s shoreline.
Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn those residents and businesses in low lying areas along the lakeshore.

This Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasts and will update this message as necessary.

Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge (Event Message #1)

October 31, 2020

Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge for the entire shoreline within its jurisdiction.

Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning and is forecasting southwesterly winds starting early Sunday morning that will continue into the evening. Winds are expected to reach of 50 km/h with gusts up to 80 km/h. With these forecasted winds, minor flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in the western Long Point area by 0.3 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.0 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area by 0.62 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.3 meters (IGLD 1985). Levels are expected to remain elevated between noon on Sunday and 10:00 pm. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to 2.0 meters in Long Point and 1.4 m along Haldimand County in LPRCA’s watershed.

Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn those residents and businesses in low lying areas along the lakeshore.

This Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until 9:00 A.M. on Monday, November 2^nd, 2020. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasts and will update this message as necessary.

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook Lake Erie

September 30, 2020

Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. This includes Bayham, Norfolk County and Western Haldimand County.

Strong southwesterly winds of 45-50 km/h with gusts up to 80 km/h are forecast over Lake Erie and the area Wednesday afternoon and into late evening. With the forecast winds, minor flooding is expected to impact very low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.2 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.05 meters (IGLD 1985), and 0.5 meters to 175.35 meters (IGLD 1985) along the Haldimand County shoreline within LPRCA’s watershed. Peak levels are currently expected to occur Wednesday afternoon and remain elevated into late evening. Wave heights are expected to reach 2 meters in height along the shoreline.

Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until 8:30 AM October 1, 2020.

Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.

Level 1 Low Water Advisory Issued

August 17, 2020

LPRCA urges water conservation throughout the Long Point Region watershed.

Water users throughout the Long Point Region watershed are being asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10 percent because of the unusually dry weather in recent months.

Based on the cumulative lack of rainfall since the beginning of May and lower than typical stream flow and groundwater levels in many areas, the Long Point Region Joint Low Water Response Team (WRT) is issuing a Level 1 Low Water Advisory for all areas of the Long Point Region watershed.

The local Low Water Response Team is made up of representatives from watershed municipalities, the local agricultural sector, other major water users, several provincial ministries and Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA). At a conference call last Thursday, the WRT noted the more northerly areas of LPRCA have been particularly dry this summer, having received only about 50-75% of average rainfall for this time of year over the past 90 days. Areas closer to the lake have generally seen amounts closer to normal.

In response, LPRCA encourages everyone to follow their municipal water use bylaws and to reduce non-essential uses of water.

Urban and rural residents can help by restricting water use, such as lawn watering and car washing; identifying and fixing leaks; and taking care to conserve water indoors.

Irrigators can reduce consumption and the impact on groundwater aquifers and watercourses by following best practices for irrigation, such as:

Arranging with their neighbor to stagger irrigation times;
Pumping at a lower rate over a longer period of time and store water in a pond if possible;
Ensuring that their equipment is running efficiently and not leaking; and
Minimizing daytime irrigation, or when windy, to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.

By following these and other best practices, residents in the Long Point Region proactively assist in minimizing the impacts of low water on aquatic ecosystems; conserving water supplies in the event conditions worsen; and hopefully limiting or reducing the need for stronger water restriction measures.

LPRCA will continue to monitor stream flow, groundwater levels and precipitation, and will provide updates as watershed conditions change.

Information on the Low Water Response Program is available on the LPRCA website.

For further information about watershed conditions contact LPRCA at 519-842-4242.

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Lake Erie (High) Static Water Level Outlook

August 5, 2020

Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Shoreline Conditions Statement for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. This message is intended to bring attention to the current high static (calm) water levels of Lake Erie and the potential for flooding and erosion as we move into the end of summer.

The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from August 4, 2020 reports that:

Lake Erie’s level was 71 cm above its July average and 8 cm below the previous record high of 2019.
Lake Erie fell 7 cm last month, more than its average fall of 5 cm.
At the beginning of August, Lake Erie was 70 cm above average, and 9 cm below last year at this time.

Update issued by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry on August 10, 2022:

Lake Erie declined 8 cm last month while the long-term average sees a decline of 5 cm in July.
Lake Erie’s beginning-of-August level was 24 cm above the period-of-record (1918-2020) average.

Water supplies were greater than normal in the upper great lakes while local supplies to Lake Erie were drier than normal for the month of July. Assuming average water supply conditions, Lake Erie static levels are expected to remain well above average but continue to decrease over the next 3 months. Figure 1 in the PDF attachment shows the 6-month forecast for Lake Erie.

Due to the high level of Lake Erie, there continues to be a heightened risk of flooding from lake surges and wave uprush, and wave-driven erosion along the shoreline.

Community flood coordinators and the public are advised to monitor weather conditions, particularly strong southwest winds. People are urged to use caution or stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline during times of strong wave action and elevated water levels.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until further notice.

Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.