Develop a Memorandum of Understanding, partnership agreement, or other mechanism to recognize the watershed as the primary unit for planning and to generate cooperation amongst local planning organizations to pursue watershed planning and management
Local municipal planning agencies, watershed organizations, or Conservation Authorities in Ontario, with stakeholders serving as local "champions"
Interagency mistrust; historical jurisdictional conflicts; human and financial resource constraints; self-interest (What am I getting out of it?); lack of knowledge of benefits; determining who are the "significant" stakeholders; prevailing attitude that government is better; concern that another layer of bureaucracy will cause delays
Need to take "leap of faith"; start with a "clean slate" (don't point fingers); find common ground (define common interests at the first dialogue); select effective neutral coordinator; demonstrate regional benefits and how this has worked in the past; find "path of least resistance" and share success stories; ensure inclusive planning process
Inventory and incorporate essential information on ecosystem features (e.g. terrestrial and aquatic resources, areas of natural significance, valley and stream corridors, groundwater, etc.) into planning documents (i.e. map the information using a geographical information system)
State and Provincial resource management agencies; conservation authorities; utility commissions; local municipalities; local experts
Budget constraints; staff time to collect/compile information; lack of coordination; ownership of information; need to address interagency "purchasing" of information
Generate list of data gaps for developers and government to fill; ensure inter- and intradepartmental cooperation facilitated by pre-consultation meetings for data needs; share staff; prioritize data gathering at higher legislative levels to get into budget items; establish partnerships; pursue acquisition grants
Following mapping of unique ecosystem features within the watershed, identify constraint areas from an environmental and servicing perspective (e.g. sewer lines, high erosion sites, wetlands) in order to indicate where development is and is not appropriate
Planners; public; developers; specialists; Conservation Authorities; Watershed Councils
Limited resources; perception of "low priority"; need to get everyone involved and get their input
Communicate clearly that doing this will help clarify expectations (a "level playing field of knowledge") and help municipalities focus their efforts, minimize time delays and costs, and protect key components of the watershed; ensure inclusive planning processes
Develop policies and establish zoning ordinances, as needed, to preserve and rehabilitate key ecosystem features within the watershed (e.g. minimize runoff during construction, stop floodplain encroahment, limit impervious surface area development, establish grading limitations)
Watershed "umbrella organization" (to develop model by-law or policy); municipalities or townships (to help with practical application)
Policies are often too broad; "loop holes" in policies and ordinances; perceived risk of new techniques; concern that policies often exceed technological capabilities; potential liability to municipalities (e.g. stormwater retention ponds, fencing)
Implement guidelines to bridge the gap between what you want addressed and how you want it addressed; use education to dispel myths; perform research and invest in new and innovative techniques
Establish techniques for implementation of policies that address types and forms of development (e.g. incentive-driven site layout and design, maximum density allowances, municipal environmental evaluation reporting, state-of-the-environment reporting)
Planners; developers for implementation; other experts to assess social and economic considerations in developing these techniques
Hesitation to accept innovation; liability and perceived risk in trying something new; technical know-how and limitations of current knowledge; "preaching to the converted"; need to reach other stakeholders
Share success stories; encourage experienced ecosystem-based planners to work with less experienced ones; ensure adequate public education and information to get support for pursuing innovations; assess and communicate clearly economic and other benefits; market techniques to sell "environmentally-friendly" development