Planning and Regulations
Any activity in any area of the watershed affects the quality and quantity of water passing through downstream communities. A total watershed perspective is fundamental when addressing water and water related land management issues.

Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) regulates development within the flood plain and other environmental hazards to reduce risk to human life and property caused by inappropriate development practices. MVC provides comments and recommendations to assist municipalities in assessing the impact of development proposals in the watershed. MVC also administer the Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation. 

2012 MVC Permit Application form (1.5 MB) This is a fillable form. It may also be printed and filled out by hand. Please note the New Fee Schedule for 2012.

Please submit online or print, complete, and return to:

Mississippi Valley Conservation
Attention: Allison Playfair
4175 Hwy 511, Lanark, Ontario
K0G 1K0 or
Fax 613-259-3468

Call the MVC office for assistance at 613-259-2421.


NEW! Amendments to MVC’s “Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alteration to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation” under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act in accordance with direction provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources

At its meeting of November 10th 2005 the MVC Board of Directors passed a resolution adopting the wording of a “Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses” regulation prepared in conformity with the provisions of Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act.  A public consultation process had been followed which included opportunities to review new mapping undertaken in compliance with prescribed provincial standards.  Following the Board’s adoption the regulation, mapping and other documentation were submitted to Conservation Ontario (Peer Review and Implementation Committee).  The regulation was subsequently approved by the Minister of Natural Resources effective May 4th, 2006.

After some four years of working with the regulation it has become apparent that some amendments would be beneficial both in terms of clarity and expediency.  The amendments proposed do not extend the area that the CA currently regulates nor do the amendments broaden the considerations the CA would use to make a decision on a permit. Rather they deal principally with simplifying the permitting process, streamlining decision making and improving some administrative practices accompanied by some minor housekeeping amendments.

 

 MNR posted the intent of the amendments proposed to the individual conservation authority regulations on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry on December 19, 2011.  The Registry affords business and the public the opportunity to comment on proposed regulations that may affect them.  The posting is for 45 days with the last day to send in comments being February 02, 2012.  The posting can be found on the Regulatory Registry under ‘Current Proposals’

When the posting has ended, MNR staff will compile and take into account the written comments and submissions received to make recommendations for finalizing the proposed amendments.  MNR will then send the 36 regulations submitted and any recommendations made to Legislative Counsel for drafting of final versions of the amended regulations.  Once Legislative Counsel completes this task, MNR will be sending the Legislative Counsel final versions to seek the CA Boards’ approvals.

Comment on the proposed amendments to the individual conservation authority regulations

Watershed planning provides an opportunity to assess the interactions between natural processes and social and economic demands. The plan provides guidance to municipalities, resource management agencies and land owners for land use planning and development while protecting and enhancing the environment.

 

Watershed and sub-watershed planning should address the following general questions:
  • What is the location, present status, significance, sensitivity of the existing natural environment and functional relationship between critical elements?
  •  What are the impacts of existing and future land use activities?
  • What measures or activities can be employed to effectively mitigate the adverse impacts?
  • What are the opportunities to enhance the natural system and proper compatible uses?
  • Watershed planning is the most effective means of evaluating and developing water related resource management strategies and practices. A watershed plan is a document developed cooperatively to manage land and water interactions, aquatic resources within a particular watershed, and to protect the health of the ecosystem as land use changes.
  • A sub-watershed plan reflects the goals of the Watershed Plan, but is tailored to the tributary needs and provides more detailed guidance for site specific water resource planning issues. Watershed   and sub-watershed studies do not determine land use. Instead they establish constraints, opportunities and approaches for input into the land use planning process.
Successful studies provide:
  • Direction for environmental protection and enhancement through input to planning documents, stewardship programs and development review. 
  •  Context for more efficient servicing decisions and cost-effective capital expenditures.  
  •   Streamlined approvals by addressing the interest of parties up front. 
  •   The public with meaningful opportunities for input.
  • Long term economic viability by promoting a clean healthy environment.

Watershed Planning Advisory Program
Helping to protect environmentally sensitive areas of our watershed.

The Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement, and associated regulations, determine the planning process in Ontario. These documents outline the environmental and resource management responsibilities of all conservation authorities.

To implement these responsibilities, Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) has established a planning advisory program. This program reflects the two principal approaches to Ontario's planning process: long range planning and development review. At the municipal level, MVC reviews Official Plans and Zoning By-laws to ensure they include the consideration of natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion, and natural heritage issues, such as wetlands, wildlife habitat and fish habitat.

The short term/development review component of the planning program is the review of development proposals. The purpose of this activity is to advise decision makers of conflicts and implications relating to MVC's objectives and the conformity of the proposal with matters of provincial interest. Short term planning includes the review of site specific Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments, as well as minor variances, lot creation applications and site plans. Due to the conflict between severe funding cuts and the responsibility of implementing provincial policy, MVC is obligated to charge a fee to proponents for the review of their development proposals.

"Planning is concerned with future actions, involves predictions about outcomes, links directions with action and is a collective activity."

(E.R. Alexander, 1986)

Regulations
 
Are you planning to do shoreline work, build,or develop near or on a lake, river or stream?

Development in a location that is prone to flooding, slope instability or erosion can have serious repercussions for landowners or their neighbours. Ontario Regulation 153/06, known as Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses is designed to control or prevent potential problems caused by inappropriate land development. Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) enforces regulations governing filling and/or construction in regulated areas or the alteration of any waterway within its jurisdiction.

In addition MVC, under an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is responsible for evaluating in water or near water projects as to their impact on fish habitat. Failure to obtain the appropriate permits can result in prosecution or, more importantly, a hazard to people or property.

Landowners with property on or near the shoreline of a lake, river or stream may require a permit if they wish to develop their lots. These activities include but are not limited to filling (adding, removing or grading), construction, retaining walls, docks and boathouses. The first thing to do when planning work around a watercourse is to contact MVC to discuss your project and determine whether a permit is required.

Remember, contact us early to avoid problems later.