This notice is for informational purposes only. There is no requirement to consult on this initiative on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Learn more about the types of notices on the registry.
Why consultation isn't required
This bulletin advises that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has approved the amendments to the:
- Grand River Source Protection Plan and
- Grand River Assessment Report
The amendments are proposed by the Grand River Source Protection Authority in accordance with section 34 of the Clean Water Act, 2006.
Public notice of approvals of source protection plans, and amendments to these plans, are governed by the Clean Water Act, 2006. They are not governed by the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.
This bulletin notice is required under sections 30 and 34 of the Clean Water Act, 2006 and is for information only. Section 34 of the Clean Water Act, 2006 provides that section 30 applies to proposed amendments to source protection plans submitted under section 34. Section 30 of the Clean Water Act, 2006 requires that the Minister publish a bulletin notice of the approval which includes a brief explanation of the effect, if any, of comments or resolutions submitted to the source protection authority and any other information that the Minister considers appropriate.
The Grand River Source Protection Authority previously consulted with the public and stakeholders on these amendments per requirements of the Clean Water Act, 2006. Please see the “Other public consultation opportunities” section below for details.
Bulletin details
The Ontario government is dedicated to safeguarding our lakes, waterways, and groundwater for present and future generations. The recent amendments to the Grand River Source Protection Plan and Grand River Assessment Report have been approved by the Minister in order to maintain the high quality of municipal drinking water sources in Dufferin. These amendments were recommended by the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee.
By working with our partners, we help to ensure Ontario’s drinking water is held to high safety standards and that sources of drinking water in the province are protected for future generations.
Amendments to the assessment report and source protection plan
These changes include updated vulnerable area mapping due to increased water extraction from two existing supply wells in Melancthon Township, Dufferin County. Additionally, revisions to assessment reports improve protections for drinking water sources by refining vulnerable area mapping for all Shelburne wells in Dufferin. These changes are based on updated 2021 groundwater modeling, which adjusts vulnerability scores in certain areas and updates geographic boundaries of vulnerable areas. Furthermore, the amendment introduces new non-binding policies concerning liquid hydrocarbon pipelines for Melancthon, Amaranth, and East Garafraxa Townships.
The source protection authority completed the amendments in accordance with the legislative and regulatory requirements set out in the Clean Water Act, 2006, Ontario Regulation 287/07 (General) and associated Technical Rules.
These amendments take effect upon this posting of the Minister’s approval on the Environmental Registry.
Other public consultation opportunities
The Grand River Source Protection Authority held consultations while the amendments were being developed. They invited comments from:
- implementing bodies (including the provincial government and local municipalities) of vulnerable area changes
- the public and implicated landowners
- the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
The source protection authority held consultation on the proposed amendments from January 25, 2023, to February 28, 2023.
General Regulation 287/07 issued under the Clean Water Act, 2006 requires the source protection committee to send a notice to the Chief of the Band if any part of a First Nation reserve is in the area affected by the proposed plan amendments. As there are no First Nations reserves in the affected area, none were directly consulted.
The source protection authority considered and addressed comments received and made appropriate revisions before submitting the proposed amendments to the Ministry for approval. The Ministry also considered the comments received as part of the review process, including consulting with other provincial ministries.
The approved amendments to the Grand River Source Protection Plan and Grand River Assessment Report are available on the Lake Erie Source Protection Region’s website.
Other information
The Minister has concluded that the legislative and regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, 2006 have been met and that the comments the source protection authority received during consultation on the Grand River Assessment Report and Grand River Source Protection Plan amendments have been adequately considered and addressed, and that the requirements under the Clean Water Act, 2006 relating to the amendments have been met.
These amendments take effect upon this posting of the Minister’s approval on the Environmental Registry. The approved amendments to the Grand River Assessment Report and Grand River Source Protection Plan are available on the Lake Erie Source Protection Region’s website.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
40 St Clair Ave W
14th Flr
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada
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Contact
Jennifer McKay
40 St Clair Ave W
14th Flr
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada