Central Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

CENTRAL WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANWatershed VisionUnder the Conservation Authorities Act (R.S.O.1990, c.C27), the mandate of the NiagaraPeninsula Conservation Authority is to establishand undertake programs designed to further theconservation, restoration, development andmanagement of natural resources. In keepingwith the mandate of the NPCA, NWS (RMN2006a), and the watershed challenges andissues, residents of the Central Welland Riverwatershed envision the following:The Central Welland River watershed will support a balanced ecosystem with healthywatercourses, agricultural lands and natural areas while sustaining the needs of thecommunity and providing habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna. The Central WellandRiver watershed will also support healthy communities with strong and sustainableeconomies that respect the natural environment and the cultural and traditional values ofthe communities served.Watershed ObjectivesEach watershed in the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority‟s jurisdiction is unique,having its own set of watershed planning objectives. The watershed objectives for theCentral Welland River watershed have been categorized based on the watershed‟sresource components, including the social and built environment. In accordance with theProvincial Policy Statement [Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MMAH) 2005a],Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe [Ontario Ministry of Public InfrastructureRenewal (MPIR) 2006], Regional Policy Plan (RMN 2007a) and public input, naturalresources will be managed on a watershed scale in the Central Welland River watershedto:Water Resourcesimprove, enhance, maintain or protect water quality and/or natural streamprocesses to support human uses, agricultural needs and ecological functions inaccordance with Provincial Water Quality Objectives;protect, improve or restore hydrologically sensitive areas (surface andgroundwater features);ensure that storm water management practices minimize storm water volumesand contaminant loads;Manage and mitigate flooding risks to human life and property within acceptablelimits;recognize the role of natural features and pervious features in minimizing theimpacts of flooding; andfind an ecologically compatible balance between drain maintenance and functionFish and Aquatic Habitatprotect, enhance and restore populations of native species and their habitats inthe watershed; andeliminate barriers to fish migration13