New Watershed Management strategy unveiled by the Conservation Authority

Public comments are being welcomed after an Integrated Watershed Management Strategy was prepared by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.

Officials say the strategy plans and coordinates the management of subwatersheds within the Conservation Authority’s jurisdiction for the next 20 years.

Katelyn Lynch, NBMCA’s Water Resources Engineer (EIT) says, “The IWMS evaluates the needs of 20 subwatersheds that fall within 11 municipalities and 15 unorganized townships. It identifies information gaps and recommends studies and key projects that need to be undertaken to guide the successful management of these subwatersheds“.

Recommendations focus on protection of people and property, conservation, sustainability, and stewardship.

They include new and updated hazard land and flood plain mapping; expanded policies to support regulatory responsibilities with respect to development activities around wetlands, watercourses, shorelines and slopes; improved hydrologic and meteorological monitoring and climate change assessments; and delineation of critical habitats that support local species as risk.

Lynch added, “Integrated watershed management is a way to manage human activities and natural resources on a watershed basis, taking into account social, economic and environmental issues as well as community interests in order to manage water resources sustainably,”.

To view the Draft strategy and Technical Background Report visit the Conservation Authority’s website.

Comments on the IWMS can be submitted to NBMCA to katelynl@nbmca.on.ca.

The public commenting period closes June 30, 2015.