Beyond the DART Protocol,…

Beyond the DART Protocol, what additional protocols could be established to help streamline approvals?

1) OMAFRA should look to develop protocols like the Dart protocol for Ontario Species at Risk with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and provide MOECP with the funds and staff to administer the programs mandated to them.

2) OMAFRA should look develop protocols like the Dart protocol to deal with drainage issues the involve the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to reduce consultation delays with regards to new drain design and construction, the issuing of permits and authorizations for maintenance and construction

3) OMAFRA should look to further develop relationships and protocols with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans to stream line the Authorization process. This could include the development of more Drainage Act specific forms. An example would be the Request for Review that is periodically required for the installation of simple industry standard erosion control structures in open drains, farm access culverts and drain improvements under section 78

What projects should be included in the definition of Minor improvements? What else would you like a minor process to achieve?

1) Where not previously specified in a drainage report, allow for a mechanism for the installation of green initiatives such as engineered rock shoots, buffer strips and other erosion control structures to repair eroded banks and ditches, and that they be eligible for Grant if they meet ADIP policies. Possibly create a policy for assessing the construction cost and future maintenance of the added structure and green initiatives.

2) When requested by a landowner, allow for the installation of additional catch basins on a municipal drain on private property at the landowner’s expense with the approval of an engineer. For future maintenance, the catch basins if approved would become part of the drain for assessment purposes

Do you have any additional suggestions to reduce burden or contribute to additional opportunities for your business?

1) Required (possibly legislated) timely response from all Ontario government agencies with regards to municipal drain design, construction and maintenance. This would include but is not exclusive to MTO, MOECP, MNRF, the projects should be reviewed and if involvement is not required from these agencies, we should also receive a response stating that as well (in a timely manner)

2) That OMAFRA be given the funds and staff to be able to administer the Drainage program in a timely proactive manner. Reduce the wait times from the submission of a grant application to review, processing and paying municipalities. (Wait times in some instances have been in excess of 12 months from time of submission)

3) Provide the clerk of the municipality the legal ability to do simple reapportionments of assessment when only 2 or 3 properties are involved, and the value of the change is under a specified value per property. If it is deemed advisable provide for a policy that could be used for the clerk driven reapportionment process and provide for the same property owner appeal rights already given in section 65(11) of the Drainage Act

4) Allow for a streamlined process for when a tile drain is required to be relocated for development purposes completely on the developers lands and at the developer’s expense. Require that the Municipal Drainage Engineer be appointed to either design or reviews the design of the developers Engineer. This is to ensure determined that the change does not negatively affect upstream or downstream lands. Look at methods to reduce legislated time periods for a project that is developer driven with respects to the adoption and final passing of the bylaw. This would be contingent on the engineer determining that the proposed changes do not negatively affect upstream or downstream lands, not affecting the current maintenance schedule, and all permits and approvals have been obtained.

5) Look at the reasoning and need behind section 78(2) specifically if section 78(4) of the Drainage Act specifies that “All proceedings, including appeals under this section shall be the same as on a report for the construction of a drainage works.”

6) Confirm that notices, reports and other documentation required to be sent under the Drainage Act can be sent electronically by email when requested.