Planning and Engineering

SNC has been overseeing the health of the watershed since 1947. We manage our watershed as an ecosystem recognizing that any action in one of its parts can affect the whole.

The mission of South Nation Conservation is to ensure that the management of natural occurrences, natural resources and human activities results in the protection or improvement of our water resources. Strategic planning is a critical part in the development process to protect our watershed.

The Planning and Engineering Department team consists of experts experienced in planning, biology, hydrology, engineering and water resources. Our department provides advice to municipalities, public, other agencies, landowners and watershed stakeholders to ensure clean water, natural shoreline integrity and sustainable land-use planning throughout our watershed.

Planning and Engineering's main goals are to protect, enhance and restore water and land, and to protect life and property from natural hazards, such as flooding, erosion, unstable, slopes, etc.

Planning

Managing the ecosystem as a whole ensures the health of the environment and the protection of the natural resources. Our strategy is:

• To develop plans for the watershed and sub-watersheds that will help, restore, protect and/or manage renewable natural resources;
• To work in partnership with agencies, municipalities and the local communities;
• To include environmental, social and economic considerations in land use planning to ensure a healthy environment and sustainable rural and community life;
• To work with other agencies to implement provincial policies as they affect the watershed;
• To preserve the natural state of waterways and well defined floodplains; and
• Land Use Management including hazard lands, wetlands, natural areas and wildlife, etc.

Engineering

Water Resources Management involves evaluating and employing procedures that reduce the adverse affects of human activities and natural occurrences on the quality and quantity of water. Including:

• Reducing the adverse affects of erosion and sediment on water quality;
• Favouring the use of natural measures over man-made structures in erosion control practices;
• Reducing the threat of flooding to life and property;
• Maintaining existing weirs, dams and dikes in accordance with water management strategies;
• Reviewing environmental needs in the making of decisions relating water levels;
• Improving summer water levels for recreation and aesthetics; and
• Assessing natural hazards like streambank instability and landslides.

Regulations

The primary responsibility of Conservation Authorities is the protection of human life and property from natural hazards. Implementing our legislated responsibility through regulations SNC protects people and property from flooding, erosion and unstable slopes.

Property Inquiries

South Nation Conservation offers a Property Inquiry service that provides environmental information about a specific that will help in decision-making when considering a large investment, such as a property purchase. Any representative or landowner is strongly encouraged to complete a property inquiry if the property is within or adjacent to any natural hazard or natural heritage feature.

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