In late 2001, the Niagara Region, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), and
Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE), consulted to consider ways to more effectively
manage Niagara's water resources. All parties agreed that in order to properly protect the
area's water, a more integrated approach would be required that took into consideration all
jurisdictional levels. To this end, the three principals commissioned a study in August 2002
to develop Niagara's Water Quality Protection Strategy (NWQPS).
The consortium of MacViro Consultants Inc., CH2M HILL Canada Limited, and Philips
Engineering Ltd., along with eight specialist firms, including Lura Consulting which
completed the community engagement component, worked together with area stakeholders
to produce the strategy in 14 months; releasing it, October 2003. The effort included
intensive consultation with active stakeholder groups that were organized by specific theme
areas.
The strategy involved an intensive data gathering exercise including over 1000 data items,
comprising reports, maps, databases, and general information from 14 municipalities and
over 30 formal agencies and watershed groups. Based on this information, an assessment
was conducted of the sensitivity and value of the area's water resources, as well as their
potential stressors (i.e. sources of contamination, flooding, water taking, etc.).
The understanding gained from the study area characterization was subsequently used as
the underpinning to develop the management strategy. This phase of the work involved
significant consultation with area stakeholders to develop a prioritized action plan,
comprised of over 400 area-wide and locally-specific activities organized into 11 focussed
Action Programs, to address core issues related to water quantity and quality management.
The NWQPS recommends that an integrated structure (including representation from the
Niagara Region, NPCA, local municipalities, and agencies) be established to manage certain
activities directly under its control. In addition, this integrated structure, termed the NWQPS
Implementation Team, is also to inform and be informed through involvement in numerous
indirect activities, which would be carried out by other organizations. This integrated
process will ensure that water resources are protected and managed in an effective manner. Includes 11 references, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 4 MB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 15 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
