Flood Damage Prevention
 Approvals and Notifications for “Changes in and About a Stream”
Under the Water Act, “changes in and about a stream” means
- any modification to the nature of the stream including the land, vegetation, natural environment or flow of water within the stream, or
- any activity or construction within the stream channel that has or may have an impact on a stream
Approvals
An Approval is a written authorization and is the responsibility of the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of Environment.
Notifications
Notifications are the responsibility of the Environmental Stewardship Division of the Ministry of Environment.
How to Apply for an Approval or Submit a Notification
Information on the Notification and Approval processes and assistance in the preparation and submission procedures for a particular application can be found in the Users’ Guide to Working In and Around Water.
For more information on approvals and notifications please visit the Ministry of Environment website.
Emergencies
During a flood emergency, when there exists a potential danger to life or property, a Notification or an Approval is not required for the following:
- the construction or placement of erosion protection works or flood protection works, when an emergency is declared under the Emergency Program Act ; and
- the clearing of an obstruction from a bridge or culvert.
However, the work must be conducted by a provincial government agency, or its agents, or by a municipality. The exemption does not apply to work associated with flood damage restoration.
The private property owner is responsible for any measures required for the protection of his property. In cases of acute emergency, the municipality may provide assistance.
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