About Our ProjectAusable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region |
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The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley drinking water source protection project taps into and increases local knowledge while integrating science-based planning and public input for the best plans possible‚ for the health and safety of you, your neighbours, and generations to come. Drinking water source protection (DWSP) planning in the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Source Protection Region is a combination of science-based assessment (of watershed features, existing and potential threats and program needs) and active stakeholder participation in the development of effective local plans. The project has tapped into local knowledge provided through means which include a source protection committee (SPC), municipal planning working groups, local, multi-stakeholder working groups (WGs), a municipal subcommittee (MSC), and other avenues such as information exchange and consultation sessions with stakeholders, public events and a public Internet discussion forum. Conservation authorities (acting as source protection authorities under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006), municipalities, and stakeholders from major sectors including economic (agriculture, industry, commerce) and other (public, environmental, property owners, etc.) are working jointly to develop effective local drinking water source protection plans. The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley source protection project‚ through municipalities, a source protection committee (SPC), and facilitated by conservation authorities‚ acting in a legislated role as source protection authorities (SPAs), has the responsibility to develop science-based drinking water source protection plans for each source protection area (Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley) as prescribed by the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006. The local plans will help ensure appropriate uses, safeguards and practices in areas close to sources of public drinking water near municipal wellheads or intakes. The local source protection committee (SPC)‚ in cooperation with municipalities, public and stakeholders‚ has since 2006: 1. Developed terms of reference in consultation with the public and stakeholders [The Ontario Minister of the Environment approved terms of reference for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas on June 8, 2009]. 2. Prepared asssessment reports identifying vulnerable areas, threats inventories and potential significant drinking water threats. Amended and updated assessment reports were prepared and are now being considered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. 3. Develop source protection plans, including policies to identify existing and future activities which could pose a significant risk, so that risk can be removed. These will be developed by 2012. Notice of commencement of source protection plan preparation was posted in February of 2011. There will also be additional benefits, beyond the immediate mandate of the SPC, growing out of the watershed-based research undertaken by the local planning project. This science will help individuals and groups seeking to improve many aspects of the environment through voluntary initiatives. In addition to the source protection planning initiative, the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield conservation authorities are delivering, in the region, the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP). This voluntary program, funded by the Province of Ontario's Minstry of the Environment, provides financial assistance to landowners undertaking voluntary projects to protect water such as fuel or chemical storage, well or septic upgrades, runoff and erosion control projects, manure storage, or agricultural best management practices. Call 519-335-3557 or 1-888-286-2610 to see if you are located in a vulnerable area where your project may be eligible for funding. Visit www.sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca for more information. The local project developed an engaging and in-depth learning program for members of local, multi-stakeholder working groups so that representatives of local stakeholder organizations, and the broader watershed communities, were able to acquire the requisite knowledge to provide informed input into the development of source protection plans. The working groups completed the15-module learning program and have have provided valuable input to the SPC. Ideas from the working groups have been collected and reviewed by the source protection committee. Some members of the working groups have completed a formal assessment of their learning through Fleming College and have obtained a certificate of recognition. Conservation Authorities, acting in a legislated role as source protection authorities (SPAs), facilitate and support the Source Protection Committee (SPC) so that the SPC can develop its Terms of Reference [completed, approval pending], assessment report(s) and practical, science-based, local plans with stakeholder participation. Conservation authorities provide decades of knowledge and experience in watershed stewardship and decades of cooperative work with local stakeholders and landowners. The planning focus is on the four vulnerable areas identified in the Clean Water Act, 2006. The drinking water source protection pans will focus on drinking water source areas close to municipal intakes and wellheads, as well as two other vulnerable areas: highly-vulnerable aquifers and significant recharge areas. The source protection project has developed data on a watershed scale and the research that has taken place over the entire study area may provide co-benefits assisting landowners in their own efforts to protect drinking water sources in addition to the benefits of the planning initiative. It is the multi-stakeholder source protection committee (SPC) which will develop the local plans, based on provincial guidance. However, conservation authorities, in their roles as source protection authorities, will be active in supporting the SPC's work. The local drinking water source protection project has been active developing the technical documents, materials, training and products required to allow the source protection committee (SPC) to swiftly assume its responsibilities for the development of source protection plans. The local drinking water source protection project for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas encourages those with questions about drinking water source protection planning to call us at 519-235-2610, 519-335-3557 or toll-free at 1-888-286-2610. We can also be contacted at info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca. We also encourage watershed residents to register as public users of our highly interactive drinking water source protection online forum, an opportunity for sharing questions, information and perspectives. There are 'Rules of Use' posted to guide appropriate and respectful dialogue. The success of source protection planning depends upon municipalities, stakeholder organizations and watershed residents, and the local project is committed to creating opportunities for your active involvement throughout the planning process. Since the inception of drinking water source protection planning in Ontario the local project has put a strong emphasis on stakeholder information sharing through municipal update meetings and in-the-community coffee houses, site-level visits, telephone conversations, and the development of communications products including fact sheets in response to questions raised by you, television, radio, and print materials, displays, brochures, an adult education program for 100 community working group members, media releases, displays, advertisements and online meetings and teleconferences. There are also in-depth planning policy meetings taking place with municipal planning working groups. Contact: Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region c/o Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority / ABCA, 71108 Morrison Line |
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