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Each of Ontario's 36 conservation authorities was required to bring
their former 'Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways' Regulation
into conformity with 'Ontario Regulation 97/04: Development, Interference
with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses', referred to
as the 'Generic Regulation', by May 1, 2006.
Conformity with the Generic Regulation was a direct requirement of the
amendments made to the Conservation Authorities Act by the province in
1997. The amendments, which were the result of the Ontario government's
Red Tape Reduction initiative, were intended to streamline the regulatory
framework for development approvals. The Generic Regulation is consistent
with the policy direction of the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement to
manage resources in a sustainable way and protect public health and
safety.
Under the Generic Regulation, the St. Clair Region Conservation
Authority (SCRCA) regulates a broader scope of natural features and
activities, including development and activities in river or stream
valleys, Great Lakes and large inland lakes’ shorelines, hazardous lands
and wetlands. Development taking place on these lands may require
permission from the Conservation Authority if the control of flooding,
erosion, dynamic beaches, pollution or the conservation of land may be
affected. The SCRCA also regulates the straightening, changing, diverting
or interfering in any way with the existing channel of a river, creek,
stream, watercourse or for changing or interfering in any way with a
wetland.
The SCRCA's Generic Regulation,
Ontario Regulation 171/06: Development,
Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses
(under 97/04) has been approved by the Minister of Natural Resources and
is posted on e-Laws.
The main objective of Ontario Regulation 171/06 is to ensure public safety
with regards to natural hazards through issuance of permits for works
within or in proximity to lakes, rivers, streams or wetlands, as may be
required.
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