Exploring land to lake connections through new approaches in watershed planning

Session: 55. - Solutions for Lake Ontario: Addressing the Human Footprint on Regional Water Quality

Maryam Nassar, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, [email protected]
Laura Del Giudice, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, [email protected]

Abstract

The Greater Golden Horseshoe area of Lake Ontario is the most highly urbanized area in Canada.  It is forecasted that significant urban growth pressures will continue, with urban land uses causing ongoing impacts to the water resources in watersheds feeding into the lake. In response to this, the Province has recently updated its policies governing land use planning within the region, and has emphasized the importance of watershed planning in informing land use decisions that balance growth with water resource protection.  Conservation Authorities, like TRCA, have a long history in watershed planning, and have the mandate to manage watersheds in complex environmental and political contexts.  Recently, TRCA has been developing a new framework for the “next generation” of watershed plans in anticipation of the policy changes, and in adapting to a modern context, through extensive research and consultation with partners.  TRCA has been piloting some of this new thinking through the development of a watershed plan currently underway for a small watershed in the eastern part of its jurisdiction.  This presentation will provide an overview of these policy changes, how they align with TRCA’s updated watershed planning framework, and how TRCA is incorporating some innovative approaches into the watershed plan currently underway.

1. Keyword
Lake Ontario

2. Keyword
watersheds

3. Keyword
planning

4. Additional Keyword
land use

5. Additional Keyword
policy