Watershed Development Services
Watershed Development Services is primarily responsible for Plan Review under the Regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and administration of Ontario Regulation 155/06: Waterways, Valleylands and Wetlands Regulation.
Since 2006, the NPCA has been responsible for the administration of Ontario Regulation 155/06, pursuant to the Conservation Authorities Act, also referred to as the Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses.
Development Review
The NPCA provides input to the development of Official Plans and Comprehensive Zoning By-Laws. We also review planning applications (eg. subdivisions, severances, zoning by-law amendments, minor variances) affected by natural environmental hazards and/or natural heritage features, and provide advice to municipalities and/or applicants on environmental impacts (re: valleys, floodplains, wetlands, stormwater management, erosion, etc.).
In 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Region of Niagara, local municipalities and the NPCA. The MOU clarifies roles and responsibilities and formalizes a pre-consultation process.
For more information about the process, our policies and fees, visit the Development Review Information & Permits page.
Watershed Plans
The Niagara Water Quality Protection Strategy is a multi-stakeholder initiative based on public and agency consultation. The NWQPS was developed by the Regional Municipality of Niagara in partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Ministry of the Environment, with help from watershed municipalities and local stakeholders. One of the recommendations of the NWQPS was to complete watershed plans for all of the watersheds in the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s jurisdiction. The NWQPS identified 32 Local Management Areas (LMAs) that are based on watershed boundaries. To this end, the completed watershed plans have adopted the vision as presented in the Niagara Water Quality Protection Strategy:
“Niagara’s watersheds will contribute to an improved quality of life for all living things. There will be enough water, of the necessary quality, to sustain healthy rural and urban communities, in harmony with a natural environment, and rich in species diversity. Citizens and neighbours of Niagara will share the responsibility of efficient water use, and will respect the long-term sustainability of all our water systems and the life that depends on them.”
Download a map 
of the subwatersheds within NPCA’s jurisdiction.
Completed Watershed Plans:
Note that all Plan documents are provided in PDF format.
