Regulatory Amendments Would Support a Common Decision Making Standard for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin

Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment announced, April 24, 2014, new proposals designed to implement provisions related to managing water takings and transfers of water between Great Lakes watersheds (from one Great Lake watershed to another).

The proposals, which are outlined in proposed regulatory amendments to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement, would set a basin-wide, common decision-making standard for new proposals.

In addition, provisions of Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Act, 2007 that amend the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 will also be proclaimed in order to ensure the Ministry’s Permit to Take Water program aligns with Ontario’s commitments in the agreement.