Policies and Guidelines
Policies and Guidelines
Note: On April 1, 2024, Ontario Regulation 41/24 (Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits) and Part VI of the Conservation Authorities Act will come into effect.
This regulation replaces the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authorities previous “Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses” regulation.
The proclamation of the new legislative and regulatory framework necessitates updates to existing Conservation Authority policies and procedures, including the Ontario Regulation 179/06 Implementation Guidelines.
As of April 1, 2024, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority will review and make decisions on applications for permits in accordance with Part VI of the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24. Amendments to the Implementation Guidelines will be forthcoming to reflect this new framework. Per section 12 of O. Reg. 41/24, the Authority will consult with stakeholders and the public during the review and update process as the authority considers advisable. Where discrepancies exist between the text of the legislation or regulation and the information provided within the Implementation Guidelines, the text of the legislation and regulation will prevail.
Regulation Implementation Guidelines
These Regulation Implementation Guidelines (formerly Watershed Development Guidelines) have been developed to help enhance consistency and administrative decision-making for the implementation of Conservation Authorities Act and Regulation.
These Guidelines provide general approaches to the processing of applications. They are the operating principles or the general norm for the implementation of the Regulation.
Please note, the Lake Simcoe Region Board of Directors approved the changes to our Implementation Guidelines on June 21, 2024. These changes are to reflect the implementation of Ontario Regulation 41/24 that came into effect on April 1, 2024.
Stormwater Management Guidelines
This document will provide guidance to municipalities, the development community and their consultants regarding the stormwater management and Erosion/Sediment Control requirements of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority in accordance with the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Provincial Policy Statement.
Comprehensive Stormwater Management Master Plan
The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan sets out specific requirements for the management of stormwater in existing and planned settlement areas, through the preparation of comprehensive Stormwater Management Master Plans (CSWM-MP). This document provides direction to municipalities on how to prepare and implement CSWM-MPs for settlement areas located in the Lake Simcoe watershed, in accordance with the intent of Policy 4.5-SA of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
Download the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Master Plan >>
Hydrogeological Assessment Submission
This guidance document has been developed by the Conservation Authorities Geoscience Group which is made up of Conservation Authority hydrogeologists. The main purpose is to provide information and guidance material to Conservation Authorities, their municipalities and consultant hydrogeologists related to hydrogeological assessment requirements that can be used to ensure comprehensive evaluations of potential impacts associated with development on natural ecological features and functions that are supported by groundwater resources.
Download the Hydrogeological Assessments Submission Guidelines >>
Permit Application Hearing Guidelines
The Conservation Authorities Act requires the applicant be party to a hearing by the local Conservation Authority Board, for an application to be refused or approved with conditions. Further, where staff are recommending that a permit be revoked a hearing will be held to provide the applicant with the opportunity to show cause why the permit should not be cancelled.
Offsetting Plans and Policies
Phosphorus Offsetting
As new urban growth occurs, phosphorus loads will be controlled to meet pre-development phosphorus loading levels. Any remaining stormwater phosphorus that cannot be controlled would require an “offset” to achieve pre-development phosphorus loading levels.
Ecological Offsetting
Development proposals and infrastructure projects subject to Planning Act or Environmental Assessment Act approvals that will result in the loss of wetland and/or woodland natural heritage features, despite having followed the mitigation hierarchy, will be required to compensate for the loss of these features. Learn more about the Ecological Offsetting Policy.
Water Budget Policy
Recognizing the importance of recharge areas to sustaining a healthy watershed, the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan includes a number of policies to help identify and protect SGRAs and ESGRAs.
The approach taken within the LSPP follows three basic steps: 1) define and identify SGRAs/ESGRAs; 2) develop guidance for their protection and restoration, and 3) incorporate policies into municipal official plans to protect, improve and restore. This document will expand on the three points above by developing a Water Budget Offsetting Policy for those areas where it is demonstrated that the post-development infiltration is unable to match the pre-development infiltration volume and an infiltration deficit remains in the post development scenario.
Lake Simcoe Climate Data: A Reference Document to Support the Completion of Water Balance Assessments
This document aims at providing a standard dataset for land development applicants and their consultants to use when completing water balance analysis. Qualified Persons should exercise professional judgment and flexibly to adapt the data provided when considering specific site conditions and when new information or data becomes available.
Office Hours
Our public office hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
We highly recommend making an appointment in advance to ensure there is staff available to help yo.
Who to Contact
Permits & Regulations
✆ 905-895-1281
✆ 1-800-465-0437 Toll free
✉ regulations@lsrca.on.ca
Submit electronic applications to
✉ applications@LSRCA.on.ca
General inquiries can be sent to:
Planning:
Planning@lsrca.on.ca
Regulations: regulations@LSRCA.on.ca