Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has developed a Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy (Watershed Strategy). The Watershed Strategy is a requirement of Ontario Regulation 686/21 and is to be completed by December 31, 2024.

The Watershed Strategy will be used to guide our programs and services moving forward and will provide direction regarding protecting people and property by mitigating natural hazards while also conserving our watershed natural heritage systems.

As per Ontario Regulation 686/21, the strategy must include the following:

1. Guiding principles and objectives that guide the design and delivery of programs and services.

2. A summary of existing technical studies, monitoring programs and other information on natural resources.

3. A review of programs and services

4. Periodic review and update of the strategy.

The Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy is a living document and will be updated to address changing times and priorities. The HCA’s Strategic Plan will provide overall guidance regarding programs and services. The Watershed Strategy will provide a finer level of guidance and will be updated based on HCA’s overall strategic priorities to address these changes, opportunities and effectiveness of programs as required. Lastly, issue-specific strategies and plans will be maintained based on the HCA Strategic Plan and Watershed Strategy to provide a greater level of direction and guidance related to these specific issues. The following highlights the hierarchy of this approach.

On July 8, 2024, the Board of Directors of the HCA received the Draft HCA Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy and directed staff to consult with stakeholders and the public to gather comments and suggestions on this draft strategy. In this regard, we kindly ask you to review the Draft HCA Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy for your perspectives that will help refine and shape the final version.

Please submit your comments by August 30, 2024 to ensure they are considered in the final review process.

An electronic version of the draft Strategy is available here.

Further, questions to assist in your review can be found in the survey below.