Regulation - LGIC
Regulation under the Ontario Water Resources Act for the Protection of Lake Simcoe
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 60/08
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990
Summary of Decision:
For an interim period, this regulation will govern point source discharges in the Lake Simcoe Basin for the purpose of controlling total phosphorus loadings into the Lake from specified facilities. The regulation applies to the Lake Simcoe Basin, which encompasses Lake Simcoe and the lands from which surface water drains into Lake Simcoe.
The regulation will impose a 12-month total phosphorus loading limit on each of the 14 existing municipal sewage treatment plants and the one industrial sewage treatment plant located in the Lake Simcoe Basin that contribute phosphorus to Lake Simcoe. The 12-month period to which the loading limit would apply is from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.
The regulation will prohibit a person from causing or permitting the establishment of a new sewage treatment plant in the Basin. This provision will be revoked on April 1, 2009. This prohibition will cover establishment of a new sewage treatment plant by any person, including the Crown and a municipality. This would not prohibit an expansion or replacement of an existing plant.
The regulation will place a restriction on the Director's authority to issue an approval under section 53 for the establishment of a new sewage works designed to manage stormwater from a new development within the Lake Simcoe Basin. The regulation will restrict the Director from issuing an approval for such proposed stormwater management facilities unless the Director is satisfied that the proposed facilities will be designed to meet the "enhanced protection level" specified in the Ministry's "Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual 2003".
The regulation will impose a 12-month total phosphorus loading limit on each of the 14 existing municipal sewage treatment plants and the one industrial sewage treatment plant located in the Lake Simcoe Basin that contribute phosphorus to Lake Simcoe. The 12-month period to which the loading limit would apply is from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.
The regulation will prohibit a person from causing or permitting the establishment of a new sewage treatment plant in the Basin. This provision will be revoked on April 1, 2009. This prohibition will cover establishment of a new sewage treatment plant by any person, including the Crown and a municipality. This would not prohibit an expansion or replacement of an existing plant.
The regulation will place a restriction on the Director's authority to issue an approval under section 53 for the establishment of a new sewage works designed to manage stormwater from a new development within the Lake Simcoe Basin. The regulation will restrict the Director from issuing an approval for such proposed stormwater management facilities unless the Director is satisfied that the proposed facilities will be designed to meet the "enhanced protection level" specified in the Ministry's "Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual 2003".
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
07-MOE014
Posting Date:
December 10, 2007
Summary of Proposal:
The regulation will govern point source discharges in the Lake Simcoe Basin in three ways. First, it will limit the phosphorus loadings from existing municipal and industrial sewage treatment plants within the Basin. Second, it will prohibit the Director from approving the establishment of a new municipal or industrial sewage treatment plant in the Basin. Third, it will impose stringent performance standards on new stormwater facilities that service new developments located in the Basin.
Although this proposed regulation focuses on point sources of phosphorus that are currently regulated, it is recognized that the long-term strategy for Lake Simcoe will need to address all sources of phosphorus, both those that are currently regulated and those that are not. The regulation loading limits will be in place from the time the regulation takes effect until March 31, 2009 during which time the Government intends to develop a comprehensive framework to provide for the long-term management of both point sources and non-point sources within the Basin.
Although this proposed regulation focuses on point sources of phosphorus that are currently regulated, it is recognized that the long-term strategy for Lake Simcoe will need to address all sources of phosphorus, both those that are currently regulated and those that are not. The regulation loading limits will be in place from the time the regulation takes effect until March 31, 2009 during which time the Government intends to develop a comprehensive framework to provide for the long-term management of both point sources and non-point sources within the Basin.
Contact Address:
Leo Luong
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of the Environment
Integrated Environmental Planning Division
Land and Water Policy Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 6
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 314-5711
Fax: (416) 326-0461
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of the Environment
Integrated Environmental Planning Division
Land and Water Policy Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 6
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 314-5711
Fax: (416) 326-0461
Effective Date:
March 26, 2008
Decision:
Approved