Conservation Authority Responsibilities

Conservation Authorities (CAs) are local, watershed management agencies that deliver services and programs which protect and manage water and other natural resources in partnership with governments, landowners and other organizations.

Their objectives are:

• to ensure that Ontario's rivers, lakes and streams are properly safeguarded, managed and restored;
• to protect, manage and restore Ontario's woodlands, wetlands and natural habitat;
• to develop and maintain programs that will protect life and property from natural hazards such as flooding, drought and erosion; and
• to provide opportunities for the public to enjoy, learn from and respect Ontario's natural environment.

Since their inception, Conservation Authorities have been providing environmental and educational programs and services that balance human, environmental and economic interests.

Some of these programs include:

• source water protection;
• afforestation;
• protection from natural hazards such as flooding, drought and erosion;
• flood forecasting and warning;
• water quality improvement;
• land use and watershed planning;
• agricultural and rural landowner assistance;
• natural heritage;
• recreation and education; and
• low water response.

Conservation Authorities work in partnership with local municipalities, landowners, community groups, government, environmental agencies and other stakeholders to plan and deliver these programs on a watershed basis.

Often, Conservation Authorities are responsible for providing approvals for construction of buildings or structures in floodplains, placement of fill in hazardous areas, and for alterations to river or stream channels. This is regulated under the Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation within the Conservation Authorities Act.

For more information on Conservation Authorities refer to the Conservation Ontario website.