In celebration of our 70th anniversary, we’re highlighting stories that connect our past with our present through a monthly series. In this article, we reflect on our history of protecting people and property from natural hazards through watershed-based management.
Protecting Communities from Natural Hazards
For 70 years, CVC has been protecting and managing natural hazards. In the early days of the conservation movement, watershed residents became concerned over the state of the natural environment. Protecting natural resources such as wetlands, woodlands and valley systems and watercourses, as well as pollution, deforestation and increased development, were all shared concerns. These changes on the landscape led to increased hazards and threat to life and property.
With the recognition that growth was on the horizon, the Province of Ontario passed the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946. Soon after, conservation authorities were formed, including CVC in 1954. This is the same year that Hurricane Hazel hit Toronto, which was timely as the severity of natural hazards became a focal point and became the mandate of conservation authorities through regulation.
Watershed-based Management of Hazards
The Act was innovative at the time and empowered municipalities to work on a watershed scale to address natural hazard issues. Through the creation of conservation authorities, it became our role to take the lead and research, manage and protect hazards associated with flooding and erosion through planning review and issuing permits for development in regulated areas.
In 1960, the Province amended the Act to include pollution and conservation of land, adding alterations to waterways in 1968, and by 1998 incorporating wetlands, shorelines and unstable rock.
The grassroots nature of conservation authorities establishes a collaborative response to these issues and fosters local knowledge and expertise.
Evolution of Regulations
Since our inception, CVC has developed our natural hazards management programs to be consistent with multiple Act updates and changes in regulations over the years. Today, our programs are backed by science and furthered through research and innovation. Program changes were all in response to increase demand on our natural resources and land consumption for development to facilitate growth.
More recently, the newest evolution of the regulation, Ontario Regulation 41/24, removed pollution and conservation of land from our tests. However, the core focus of managing natural hazards of flooding, erosion and protecting wetlands remains.
Protecting People and Property
The intent of conservation authorities has always been to protect people and property from natural hazards. When development within a CVC regulated area is proposed, CVC continues to ensure that the development occurs outside of hazards or is adequately protected in keeping with our watershed policies and technical guidelines. The goal is to balance necessary and anticipated growth while safely managing natural hazards.
We have seen that flooding and erosion can be real threats, especially in urban areas, and this is where growth occurs the most. Our staff have the experience and expertise to review and guide development proposals in a manner that is safe and leads to effective solutions.
We continue to support our watershed municipal partners as their natural hazards experts and work collaboratively with watershed stakeholders to protect the Credit River Watershed and support communities for generations to come.
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By Jakub Kilis, Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Regulations and Dorothy DiBerto, Senior Manager, Planning