The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is urging shoreline property owners to check with them before they undertake any kind of development in regulated areas.
“It can lead to problems for those landowners. Our job here is to help direct development away from hazardous areas and not only keep the development that's proposed safe and the individuals on those properties safe, but it's also to make sure that those developments don't impact neighbouring properties," said Water and Planning Manager Geoff Cade.
Cade said their job is to help direct development away from hazardous areas and not only keep the development that's proposed safe and the individuals on those properties safe, but it's also to make sure that those developments don't impact neighbouring properties.
Cade said in some cases, the municipality will require a permit and often, they'll call in the conservation authority for their approval as well. But he said in other cases, and that can vary from municipality to municipality, a building permit isn't required from the municipality, but it could still be required from the conservation authority, so the onus is on the property owner to make sure the conservation authority is involved and made aware of what is being proposed.
"For example, one of the popular activities that we're seeing right now is to put in erosion protection along the shore," said Cade. "It's by municipality to municipality, but in most instances, you don't need a building permit to do that, but you would still need a conservation authority permit to do that.”
Cade said regulations vary from one municipality to another, but in most cases, the municipality doesn't require a building permit, but a permit is still required by the conservation authority.
Cade added that contacting the conservation authority before the work is started avoids a multitude of problems and cost for the property owner and staff at the conservation authority are more than happy to offer their training and experience in helping the property owner with most projects and inform them about what the authority would be able to support.
