Sault Ste Marie Region Conservation Authority

Planning and Permits

"How do I apply for a permit?"

If your property is affected by the Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation 176/06 you can contact the SSMRCA Office for an application form and supply them with the required information and plans regarding proposed work on your property. Once a completed application is submitted a site visit is arranged and the resulting recommendations and where appropriate, conditions are presented to the Board of Directors for their consideration of approval. The SSMRCA Board Meetings are regularly held on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss general business and applications for permits under Ontario Regulation 176/06. However in some instances Board Members are polled for their vote on an application by telephone, fax or email in order to process applications in a timely manner. Some applications may require consultations with other agencies before approval may be granted.

Please read Applying for a Permit in full, prior to completing an application for a Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alternations to Shorelines and Watercourses Permit. All information requested on the application form and this information sheet must accompany the application form. All of the required details for the proposed works must be submitted with the application before it is considered complete.

An application checklist will assist you in preparing to submit a complete application pursuant to Ontario Regulation 176/06.

Pre-consultation with SSMRCA staff is strongly encouraged for all applications to determine the information which needs to be submitted as part of an application to be considered to be complete. The level of detail required to be submitted depends upon the natural hazards which are associated with the property as well as the scale and complexity of the proposal. Additional information may be required depending upon submission details.

Please note that incomplete applications are not subject to the SSMRCA’s review timelines.

 "Is there a fee for this?"

The SSMRCA charges a fee for an application requiring a formal permit under the Regulation. The fee is determined by the type of work to be undertaken. A complete fee schedule is available at the SSMRCA Office.
 

"What types of activities are regulated and require a permit"

The Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Ontario Regulation 176/06 applies to the following activities:

  • the construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind,
  • any change to a building or structure that would have the effect of altering the use or potential us of the building or structure, increasing the size of the building or structure or increasing the number of dwelling units in the building or structure,
  • site grading, or;
  • the temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material originating on the site or elsewhere.

"How can I find out if my property is regulated?"

The SSMRCA staff will be able to tell you if your property is affected by the Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation 176/06. Alternatively if you would like to view a map you can go to Sault Ste. Marie's GIS Portal and click on Watershed Mgmt. Ont. Reg. 176/06. If the subject property is in a green shaded area it may be regulated.

The types of lands affected by this regulation are:
* Ravines, valleys, steep slopes (escarpment areas), wetlands including swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and ponds, any river, creek, flood plain or valley land and lake shorelines.

The area of jurisdiction for Ontario Regulation 176/06 is site specific. Legal, real estate, financial institution inquiries or those made on behalf of a landowner with regards to the application of Ontario Regulation 176/06 jurisdiction and/or breaches on a specific property can mail a Property Information Request Form to our office with a fee of $45.00 + HST or for faster service you may choose to fax the inquiry to our office. In response to your inquiry you will receive written confirmation of any applicability of the regulation with respect to the subject property.

"Why is the SSMRCA mandated to administer Ontario Regulation 176/06 permits?"

For centuries we have developed our cities and villages in floodplains adjacent to watercourses. Rivers are attractive areas for development because they are a means of transportation, may be harnessed for energy and are a source of food.

Unrestricted development within a floodplain can result in flood damage to buildings and threaten public safety. Development can also effect neighboring properties both upstream and downstream by changing the physical characteristics of the floodplain and the watercourse. Fill placed on a valley slope can aggravate existing erosion problems or create new ones.