Flood Status
Low Water Response
Lake Superior Level

Conservation Authorities represent the provincial interest in regards to natural hazards encompassed by Section 5.2 of the Provincial Planning Statement.

Conservation Authorities (including the LRCA) review and provide comments on municipal planning documents and applications (i.e., minor variances, consents, amendments to the zoning by-law, etc.) submitted pursuant to the Planning Act. Comments are also provided on comprehensive zoning by-law and Official Plan updates undertaken by a Township or Municipality.

Comments are to ensure that planning decisions take into consideration and are consistent with the natural hazard policies contained within Section 5.2 of the Provincial Planning Statement, not including wildland fire.

The applicable delegated approval authority (i.e. Municipality, Committee of Adjustment or Municipal Affairs and Housing) considers comments provided by all commenting agencies and makes their decision and imposes conditions based on a review of all sections of the Provincial Planning Statement and other applicable Provincial Plans.

Wishart

Area of Jurisdiction

The LRCA’s Area of Jurisdiction includes: City of Thunder Bay, Municipalities of Neebing, Shuniah and Oliver Paipoonge and the Townships of Conmee, O’Connor, Gillies and Dorion. The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for areas outside the jurisdiction of the Authority.

Plan Review User Fees under the Planning Act

The Plan Review program charges user fees on all Planning Act applications based on the type of application. See the Plan Review – User Fees fact sheet for more information.

Regulation versus Plan Input and Review

The administration of the Regulations and Plan Review programs are two complimentary, however distinct functions whereas:

The “principle of development” is established through the Planning Act approval processes, whereas the Conservation Authorities Act permitting process, similar to the Building Permit process, identifies the specific site requirements prior to activities taking place.

Silver Harbour

Mapping Service and Pre-consultation

Property owners or potential property owners use the LRCA map viewer or can request a map of a property which will display the Approximate Regulated Area as defined under the Regulations administered by the Authority. Individual maps of specific lots can be viewed at the Authority office or can be mailed, faxed or emailed.

Pre-consultation with the LRCA is encouraged prior to the processing of Planning Act applications if any natural hazards, LRCA regulated areas or Environmental Protection/Hazard Land/Use Limitation zoning is present on the property subject to the application.

Mapping Tool