Media Release
For immediate release

New rules mean safer communities and a healthier Lake Simcoe

NEWMARKET – August 29, 2016 – Enabled by the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Board of Directors has laid the foundation for advancements in stormwater management with their approval of stricter rules around how runoff is managed in new developments and redevelopments.

“Our partner municipalities will now be leading the way in reducing the environmental impact of development in our communities,” said Aurora Mayor Geoffrey Dawe, Chair of LSRCA. “Residents will benefit from a higher degree of safety from flooding. Our infrastructure will also be protected from catastrophic damage and the cost to maintain stormwater assets will be significantly reduced. The greatest impact, of course, will be on the health of our streams and the Lake,” Chair Dawe concluded.

With the requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP) in mind, and research into best-in-science stormwater management practices across the province, LSRCA convened a broad working group to develop the updated guidelines. These changes come after extensive consultation with area municipalities, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), academic experts, engineering consultants, neighbouring conservation authority staff and leading U.S. experts.

The updated stormwater guidelines will come into effect on September 1, 2016.

To review the detailed Stormwater Management Technical Guidelines, please visit LSRCA.on.ca/permits