绘图和研究

Wetlands are the most biologically diverse kind of ecosystem, as they support both aquatic and terrestrial plant and wildlife species. These ecosystems provide a range of benefits, such as flood management, water quality improvement, groundwater replenishment and climate resilience, as well as recreation and economic opportunities, such as for timber, hunting and fishing.

Conservation Halton uses wetland mapping to identify potential wetlands and to determine if a property may be regulated by Conservation Halton. Conservation Halton regulates all watercourses, valleylands, wetlands, Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay shoreline, and hazardous lands, as well as lands adjacent to these features. Up-to-date mapping supports the delivery of our regulatory and planning programs and helps ensure wetlands are protected.

A report on Conservation Halton’s Wetland Mapping Review and Update project was brought to the Conservation Halton Board of Directors on 6月 23, 2022. The associated public engagement period began 七月 13, 2022, continuing until the end of 2022. CH staff held engagement sessions, undertook site visits to confirm and delineate wetlands on individual properties, and had numerous discussions with individuals and stakeholders.

Staff was on track to bring the mapping to the CH Board for approval in Q1 of 2023; however, in late Fall 2023, the Province introduced Bill 23, as well as a number of other proposals that could impact how Conservation Authorities regulate and map wetlands in the future (e.g., proposed changes regulations under Section 28 of the CA Act; changes to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, etc.). As such, Conservation Halton’s Wetland Mapping Review and Update project is on hold. Staff updated the Board on the status of the project on 2月 16, 2023.

The following next steps will be taken for this project:

• • • Staff continue to review and make edits to the mapping, where necessary.
    • Where requested, staff will complete site visits to ground truth the mapping.
    • Final draft mapping will be taken to the Board of Directors for approval once the Province releases new Section 28 regulations and/or wetland mapping guidance for Conservation Authorities.

Flood Hazard Mapping Updates – Lower Rambo and Lower Hager Creeks

Updates to technical studies and new flood hazard modelling can help us better understand the nature and extent of existing flood hazards. These updates can also result in changes to hazard and conservation authority regulation mapping.

The City of Burlington recently completed a Phase 2 Flood Hazard and Scoped Stormwater Management Assessment for downtown Burlington and the Burlington GO Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). The Phase 2 study is considered the best available information for decision-making when development is contemplated in hazard lands.

Conservation Halton’s (CH) approximate regulation limit mapping will be updated to reflect the Phase 2 study findings in Fall 2023.

Under Ontario Regulation 162/06, CH regulates all watercourses, valleylands, wetlands, Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay shoreline and hazardous lands, as well as lands adjacent to these features.  Permission is required from CH to undertake development within these areas.

Conservation Halton (CH) is updating flood hazard mapping for Tuck, Shoreacres, Appleby, and Sheldon Creeks in your community.

Flood hazard mapping is an important tool that supports CH’s regulatory, planning and flood forecasting and warning programs, as well as municipal emergency management, flood mitigation, and infrastructure design.  Advances in technology allow us to understand flood risks and develop better flood hazard mapping.

Flood hazards include floodplains and spills.  A floodplain is an area of land that is flooded with water by a nearby creek or lake during large storms. Spills occur when flood waters leave the valley and floodplain and “spill” into surrounding lands, rejoining the watercourse at a distance downstream or moving into another watershed.

One of CH’s top priorities is to protect life and property from natural hazards and updating hazard mapping is one of the ways we do that.

In 2021, CH retained the engineering consulting firm WSP, to update the flood hazard modelling and mapping for Tuck, Shoreacres, Appleby and Sheldon Creeks which cross through parts of east Burlington and southwest Oakville (referred to as ‘East Burlington Creeks Flood Hazard Mapping Study’).  Updated mapping and modelling provides CH, municipalities, the public, and stakeholders with a current understanding of the magnitude and extent of riverine flood hazards in this area.   The study also provides background information and technical details about how the riverine flood hazard modelling and mapping was updated.

In 10月 2021, CH hosted a public engagement session to provide notification of study commencement and provide an opportunity for property owners, residents, and other stakeholders to ask questions and share feedback.

Public Engagement Session #2

A virtual public engagement session was held on 6月 6, 2023 at 7:00pm.  This was an opportunity for those looking for further information to learn more and ask questions.   A copy of the public engagement session presentation can be viewed here and the slides can be found here.

A copy of the draft mapping and reports can be found in the links below.  Draft mapping and reports will be available online for comment until 七月 6, 2023.

CH will review all feedback and make any necessary revisions to the draft flood hazard mapping.  It is anticipated that the final draft mapping and study will be presented to CH’s Board of Directors for their approval and inclusion in CH’s Approximate Regulation Limit (ARL) mapping later this year.

Should you have any questions about the study or upcoming Public Engagement Session #2, please contact us via email at floodplainmapping@hrca.on.ca or call (905) 336-1158 ext. 2296.

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Conservation Halton has retained consulting and engineering company, Greck and Associates, to update flood hazard mapping and modelling for the West Branch of Sixteen Mile Creek in the Town of Milton. Advances in technology allows us to better understand flood hazards and to develop more accurate floodplain mapping. One of Conservation Halton’s top priorities is to protect life and property from natural hazards and updating flood hazard mapping is one of the ways we do that. An important part of the process of updating flood hazard mapping is to inform and engage with residents and other stakeholders in the study area.

Flood hazard mapping is used by Conservation Halton and municipal partners to identify areas that may be susceptible to riverine or shoreline flooding, and to inform flood forecasting, emergency response, community planning, infrastructure upgrades and other flood prevention efforts. Flood hazards include floodplains and spills.  A floodplain is an area of land that is flooded by a nearby creek or lake during large storms. Spills occur when flood waters leave the valley and floodplain and “spill” into surrounding lands, rejoining the watercourse at a distance downstream or moving into another watershed.

As part of this study, Conservation Halton hosted three public engagement sessions. The first engagement session occurred in 10月 2019 to announce the study. A second engagement session in 三月 2020 presented high-level draft results. The final engagement session in 2月 2023 shared the detailed draft final mapping. Presentation material from the final public engagement session is available here: Urban Milton Flood Hazard Mapping—Final Consultation.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please email floodplainmapping@hrca.on.ca.