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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Conservation Authority and a Conservation Area?Many people get the terms conservation authority and conservation area mixed up. Conservation Authority is the name of our organization. A Conservation Authority's main purpose is to manage natural resources, primarily land and water, on a watershed basis. To do this, we participate in many different activities including surveys and studies of our natural resources, education programs, land use planning and forestry, to name a few.A Conservation Area is a property owned by a Conservation Authority that has been developed for recreational use. Depending on the size and nature of the property, Conservation Areas may contain trails, picnic areas, swimming areas and other facilities. What is a watershed?There are two meanings to a watershed. The first is the area that the CRCA has jurisdiction over. The whole area from the Bay of Quinte to Brockville. This actually contains ten watersheds or drainage basins. A watershed is all lands drained by a river or stream and its tributaries. It is usually defined by a height of land.Another term for watershed would be a drainage basin. Show me my watershed map. The land behind my house is a conservation area and there are tree branches hanging over my fence threatening my shed. Can you please come down and remove this tree?Not all areas known as conservation areas are actually owned by the Conservation Authority. Some properties may be zoned conservation or environmental protection in the municipal zoning by-law, but are privately-owned or are owned by the municipality. Please check our Conservation Lands map to see if your property abuts one of our properties. If it does not, the CRCA does not own the property.Where can I get copies of maps or aerial photographs?Copies of floodplain mapping done by the CRCA, can be purchased at our office. National Topographic Maps can be bought locally by checking the yellow pages of your telephone directory under "Maps" or from Natural Resources Canada in Ottawa. Ontario Base Maps and aerial photographs are sold through the Information Centre of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Peterborough.Where do I get information on programs, events and trail conditions?Up-to-date information is provided on our events phone line 546-4228 extension 500. Or you can check our programs and events web page. During the winter when conditions permit, we maintain a skating rink and cross-country ski trails at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. You can get the latest conditions by calling 546-4228 extension 501 during winter season.Does the CRCA charge for services?Yes. There are fees for the review of development applications and for technical services. In addition, there is an admission charge to the Little Cataraqui Creek and Gould Lake Conservation Areas. All other Conservation Areas and Boat Ramps usage fees are by donation.Application/Plan Review Service Information Guide Plan Review Service Fee Schedule Fill Construction, and Alteration to Waterways Regulation Fee Schedule Technical Advisory Service Fee Schedule Factsheets, Brochures and Application Forms How can I get a job with your organization?Full-time and long-term contract positions are advertised in local newspapers and are circulated to other conservation authorities throughout the province. The CRCA also has limited summer, co-op and short-term contract positions available. These positions are advertised through local secondary schools, universities and colleges or are filled by hiring candiaates from our file of resumes.Who controls the water level on my lake?Many of the lakes and rivers throughout the Cataraqui watershed have dams. These dams are operated by different agencies and companies for a variety of reasons including flood control, low flow augmentation, power generation, navigation and recreation. A list of dams and their owners, by municipality, is provided here.For water level information on these lakes, visit one of the links below:
Who deals with which aspects of water in the CRCA jurisdiction?Different water related issues are the responsibility of different local, provincial, and federal agencies.Flooding Issues
Regulations dealing with filling in a floodplain area
Regulation dealing with the alternation to a watercourse
Fisheries Act
Permit to Take Water
Sediment release in water body
Navigation issues on water bodies
How do I find out about the current flood conditions?Call 546-4228 extension 503 for a recorded message or call Mara Shaw, extension 228. When we are in a flood situation, this information will also be posted on the main page of this web site.Where can I find water conservation information?The CRCA Water Response team has compiled a list of Resources for Wise Water Use.There is a beaver dam flooding my property. Whose responsibility is the flooding?The flooding is the responsibility of the person or agency that owns the land where the beaver dam is located.I saw my neighbours working with a backhoe in the creek that runs along the back of our properties. Do they have a permit?Permits for this type of work would be issued by the Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, and/or Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Contacting the Conservation Authority would confirm whether they have a permit or not.What is fish habitat?Fish habitat includes all habitats that fish use during any part of their life cycle. This includes spawning, rearing, nursery, feeding and resting habitats. The nearshore areas along lakes and rivers are often the most important habitat areas for fish, which means that if you are proposing a dock, boathouse, shoreline stabilization or other project along the shoreline or in the water along your shoreline, the CRCA reviews your proposal to ensure that fish habitat is not harmfully altered, disrupted or destroyed.To learn more about this issue, view our Fish Habitat Brochures and Applications. I have recently submitted a development application under the Planning Act to my local municipal office. Why is the Conservation Authority reviewing my application?Regulations under the Planning Act require that Conservation Authorities review certain types of development applications. Planning staff of the CRCA provide recommendations to municipalities on these applications.A fee applies to each review. These fees are paid by the applicant. Many municipalities within our jurisdiction use a screening guideline to make sure that the CRCA only reviews those applications we need to see. CRCA staff review applications with an emphasis on natural heritage, natural hazards, water quality. Our intent is to reduce hazards to public health and safety, and to protect the quality of the natural environment for future generations. We try to provide reasonable and constructive recommendations, and to consider cumulative impacts on a watershed basis. What is the status of my development (severance/minor variance/building permit/etc.) application to the CRCA?A deadline for the submission of comments is generally set by the municipality when an application is circulated to the CRCA. Staff work to meet this deadline in as many cases as possible.Will you come and remove a wild animal from my back yard?No. The CRCA does not provide this type of service. You need to call a wildlife removal company for assistance.Before trying to eliminate the wildlife, ask yourself what you can do to reduce the problems being caused by wildlife. If animals are getting into your garbage, can you find a more secure way of containing your garbage so they can't get into it. If they are getting into your house, make sure all possible entrances are properly sealed. We recommend removal from your property only as a last resort. Can I release the mouse I caught in my home in one of the CRCA Conservation Areas?No. As a general rule, animals caught in other areas are not allowed to be released on CRCA property. In most cases, these animals will be attacked by the animals of the same species that are native to the property. |
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