Natural Hazard Mapping is ongoing by Cataraqui Conservation, which is holding public information sessions, among other initiatives, to collect feedback on the project. Image via Cataraqui Conservation.
An updated natural hazard map is in the works for Cataraqui Conservation, to help inform development applications, official plans, and zoning bylaws, after major flooding events in 2017 and 2019 broke area records and moved this project to the highest priority.
According to a release from Cataraqui Conservation, the ongoing project maps natural hazards (flooding and erosion) along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River from the Town of Greater Napanee in the west to the City of Brockville in the east, also including the lower Great Cataraqui River below Kingston Mills.
The conservation authority will hold two special public information sessions in early February to offer information about the shoreline mapping project to stakeholders and area residents, but also to collect feedback on the project itself.
The Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Hazard Mapping Update Walk-in Open House will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 ,2024, at the Outdoor Centre at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, 1641 Perth Road in Glenburnie, just north of Highway 401.
A second session will be held via a Virtual Open House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, with the presentation beginning at 7:10 p.m. To participate in this online event, register in advance by contacting Donna Campbell at [email protected].
According to the release, both sessions will be facilitated by Cataraqui Conservation staff, alongside representatives from project consultant, Zuzek Inc.
“Major flooding events in 2017 and 2019, where water levels broke long-held records, combined with the unpredictability of climate change, have elevated this flood hazard mapping project to the highest priority,” Cataraqui Conservation stated.
“The study territory extends from the Cataraqui Conservation’s western boundary in the Town of Greater Napanee to its eastern boundary east of the City of Brockville and includes the lower Great Cataraqui River below Kingston Mills.”
Following the two public consultation sessions, the mapping will be submitted to Natural Resources Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for review, before going before the Cataraqui Conservation Full Authority Board for final approval. Partial funding for this project was obtained from Natural Resources Canada through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP).
According to the release, once completed, the updated hazard mapping will be used to guide Cataraqui Conservation staff in reviewing development applications for Ontario Regulation 148/06 (Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alteration to Shorelines and Watercourses), administered within the Cataraqui watershed under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act). The updated mapping may also be used by Cataraqui Conservation’s partner municipalities when they update their own Official Plans and Zoning Bylaw schedules and in the review of development applications under the Planning Act.
For more information visit https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/hazard-mapping-consultation. Draft mapping will be available to view online starting Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, where residents can get an in-depth view of the project area. Comments on the project can be submitted at either information session or online through the online comment form until February 28.
