The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is delivering Risk Management Office services, in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region, for the following eight municipalities where, in certain vulnerable areas and for certain activities, risk management plans may be required:

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has been delegated to provide Risk Management Official (RMO) and Risk Management Inspector (RMI) services for the eight listed municipalities.

For more information visit: http://www.abca.on.ca/page.php?page=risk-management

The above link will take you to the page for the Risk Management Office of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) for the drinking water source protection program in eight municipalities of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region.

The only other municipality in the region where risk management plans are currently required is in the Town of Minto. If you are located in the Town of Minto and are engaged in an activity requiring a risk management plan (RMP), please visit http://wellingtonwater.ca/contact/ for contacts or phone 519-846-9691 or 519-338-2511.

What is a risk management official?

A risk management official is appointed by the municipality and trained to standards set by provincial regulation. Their training includes biosecurity, health and safety, and more. In the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region, eight of the nine municipalities with significant drinking water threat activities have delegated their authority to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority to provide risk management services on their behalf.

The risk management official (RMO) negotiates risk management plans with persons engaged in a land-use activity. The official also issues notices in certain areas regarding changes in land uses, new building construction, or changes in building construction.

What is a risk management inspector?

A risk management inspector (RMI) inspects activities to ensure compliance with the risk management plan.

What is a risk management plan?

A risk management plan regulates activities that pose a significant drinking water threat to municipal drinking water sources.

The risk management plan (RMP) includes best management practices designed to ensure that risks to the municipal drinking water source are reduced or eliminated. The plan is generally negotiated between the person doing the activity and a risk management official.

For example, if fuel stored at a service station was a significant threat to drinking water, a risk management official would work with the gas station owner. Together, they would develop a risk management plan to reduce the chance of spills from an underground tank.

The risk management plan may be simple and straightforward in cases where best management practices are already in place. The plans can be amended as activities and operations change over time.

For forms, for Section 59 (Restricted Land Uses as per Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006) notices, please visit the Risk Management Office of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority: http://www.abca.on.ca/page.php?page=risk-management

The Applicant Guide – Section 59 Submission, and Submission Form – Section 59 – Restricted Land Uses, are located there.