Proposal
Technical Paper on the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry and Short-Term Water Takings
Regulation Number(s):
387/04
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
Ontario Water Resources Act
Summary of Proposal:
The focus of this technical discussion paper is on short-term, non-recurring water taking activities. The Ministry is seeking comments on the following:
A. Proposal to clarify that certain activities are not considered water takings by the Ministry, specifically:
Diversion of a watercourse for the purpose of creating and maintaining a construction site located wholly or partially within the watercourse where the water is returned back to the watercourse.
B. Proposal to provide exception from Permit to Take Water (PTTW) requirements with conditions for the following:
Pumping of water for the purpose of creating and maintaining a construction site located wholly or partially within the watercourse and where the water that has been pumped is returned back to the same watercourse, if prescribed requirements for discharge are met;
A taking of water by means of a structure or works constructed for the diversion or storage of water from a surface source of supply, if the structure or works are designed solely for the restoration, managing, conserving or enhancement of wetlands; and
A taking of water by means of an existing structure or works built across a watercourse for the diversion or storage of water from a surface source of supply if the structure or works is intended solely to allow all natural watercourse flow to pass freely over the crest of the structure. (i.e. weir). The proposed exemption would not include any structures that are utilized in hydro-electric projects (i.e. waterpower projects).
C. Proposal to regulate the following water takings to be prescribed activities for the purposes of the EASR:
Surface water takings that are restricted to specific purposes for the taking and the location, or rate of the water taking; and
Short-term construction dewatering less than 400,000 L/day
A. Proposal to clarify that certain activities are not considered water takings by the Ministry, specifically:
Diversion of a watercourse for the purpose of creating and maintaining a construction site located wholly or partially within the watercourse where the water is returned back to the watercourse.
B. Proposal to provide exception from Permit to Take Water (PTTW) requirements with conditions for the following:
Pumping of water for the purpose of creating and maintaining a construction site located wholly or partially within the watercourse and where the water that has been pumped is returned back to the same watercourse, if prescribed requirements for discharge are met;
A taking of water by means of a structure or works constructed for the diversion or storage of water from a surface source of supply, if the structure or works are designed solely for the restoration, managing, conserving or enhancement of wetlands; and
A taking of water by means of an existing structure or works built across a watercourse for the diversion or storage of water from a surface source of supply if the structure or works is intended solely to allow all natural watercourse flow to pass freely over the crest of the structure. (i.e. weir). The proposed exemption would not include any structures that are utilized in hydro-electric projects (i.e. waterpower projects).
C. Proposal to regulate the following water takings to be prescribed activities for the purposes of the EASR:
Surface water takings that are restricted to specific purposes for the taking and the location, or rate of the water taking; and
Short-term construction dewatering less than 400,000 L/day
Further Information:
e-Laws
Ministry of the Environment and Climate
Technical Paper on the Environmental Act
(Download Adobe Reader)
Environmental Registry Link
Proposal Number:
15-MOE004
Posting Date:
March 6, 2015
Comments Due Date:
April 24, 2015
Contact Address:
Ben Hatcher
Program Advisor
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Environmental Programs Division
Modernization of Approvals Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 12
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 325-7796
Program Advisor
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Environmental Programs Division
Modernization of Approvals Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 12
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 325-7796