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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINF 01-26Report to Council Report Number: INF 01-26 Date: January 26, 2026 From: Kevin Heathcote Director, City Infrastructure Subject: Environmental Registry of Ontario Postings: 019-7891 Proposed Environmental Assessment Regulation for Municipal Infrastructure City of Pickering Comments on ERO Posting File: A-1440-001 Recommendation: 1. That Council endorse the comments contained in Report INF 01-26, as the City of Pickering’s detailed comments on the Environmental Registry of Ontario Posting ERO 019-7891; and; 2. That Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to submit the Council endorsed comments on the identified ERO to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website by the February 3, 2026 deadline. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to inform Council of proposed changes to the Environmental Assessment Act, seek Council’s endorsement of staff’s comments on these changes, and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to submit formal comments to the Province on the proposed legislative changes. These changes include the replacement of the current Municipal Class EA process with a new streamlined environmental assessment process called the Municipal Project Assessment Process (MPAP) and a new Archeological Assessment process for certain infrastructure projects Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community. Financial Implications: The recommendations of this report do not present direct or immediate costs to the City of Pickering. Discussion: The purpose of this report is to inform Council of proposed changes to the Environmental Assessment Act, seek Council’s endorsement of staff’s comments on these changes, and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to submit formal comments to the Province on the proposed legislative changes. These changes include the replacement of the current Municipal Class EA process with a new streamlined environmental assessment process called the Municipal Project Assessment Process (MPAP) and a new Archeological Assessment process for certain infrastructure projects. INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 2 A. Overview On December 5, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) released proposed changes to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process via ERO Posting ERO 019-7891. The intent is to maintain robust environmental protections while streamlining processes to reduce delays and unnecessary burdens, particularly for lower-impact projects. These changes respond to feedback from consultations held in spring 2023 and February 2024, and are designed to support Ontario’s growing population and evolving infrastructure needs. B. Key Proposed Changes • Introduction of an Archaeological Assessment Process: Certain municipal infrastructure projects, especially some road and road-related work, will require an archaeological assessment if they would otherwise not have Environmental Assessment Act requirements. Indigenous communities must be notified and consulted, with opportunities for concerns to be raised regarding Aboriginal or treaty rights. The Minister may intervene to address such impacts. • Revised Project Lists: New lists will designate which projects are subject to the archaeological assessment process and which are subject to the streamlined EA process. Some thresholds for project inclusion are being adjusted, and certain private sector developer projects are now included. • Streamlined EA Process: Updates to the previously proposed MPAP including refinements to the requirements for assessment, consultation, documentation, and notification to improve transparency and flexibility. Specific steps and timelines are outlined, with options for proponents to extend the process when needed. • Addendum, Project Review, and Transition Provisions: New details clarify procedures for project changes, reviews for projects not substantially commenced within 10 years, and transition rules for projects underway as the new regulation takes effect. C. Details of the Archaeological Assessment Process • Proponents must obtain a list of Indigenous communities potentially interested in the project from the Ministry. • Proponents must assess whether the project area has archaeological potential using Ministry guidance or by directly engaging a licensed archaeologist. • If no archaeological potential is found, a draft summary report is prepared and circulated for a 30-day comment period, after which a final report is posted and a 15-day waiting period applies before proceeding. INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 3 • If potential exists, a licensed archaeologist conducts Stage 1 and, if needed, Stage 2 assessments. Reports are shared for review, with a 30-day comment period and a 35- day waiting period after notice of the final report. • Discovery of previously undocumented archaeological resources during construction requires immediate cessation of work and further assessment under the Ontario Heritage Act. • Projects subject to an archaeological assessment generally align with those currently subject to archaeological screening under the MCEA, including Schedule B and C projects not covered by the streamlined Environmental Assessment (EA) process. If sufficient assessment since 2011 exists, further requirements may not apply. Projects that are subject to the proposed Archeological Assessment Process are outlined in Attachment 2 of the report. D. Proposed Streamlined EA Process • Some refinements to the project lists have been made to clarify project thresholds and designations including the removal of some projects that may be addressed by other regulations. Certain private sector developer projects (new water/sewage systems/plants) will remain subject to streamlined EA requirements. • Steps for the Streamlined EA Process include the following: • Contact the Director for a list of Indigenous communities with potential interest • Assess environmental impacts and mitigation measures • Prepare and distribute a draft project report, posting notice on the project website and allowing a minimum 30-day comment period (beginning a regulated 120-day timeline) • Consult with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders • Prepare a final report, considering comments received, and provide written responses to concerns at least 30 days before publishing the final report • Distribute notice of the final report and post it online for information purposes • Proponents are encouraged to undertake pre-consultation before the regulated process. A flexible “time out” provision allows the 120-day process period to be extended as needed Projects that are subject to the proposed Streamlined Environmental Assessment Process are outlined in Attachment 3 of the report. INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 4 E. Minister’s Orders, Addendum Procedures and Transition Provisions • Requests for a Minister’s Order may be submitted to address adverse impacts on Aboriginal or treaty rights. The Minister may also act within 35 days of the final report notice. • Changes to the project require an addendum, with notification and comment periods (15 days for non-significant changes, 30 days for significant changes, and a 35-day waiting period before proceeding). • Projects not substantially commenced within 10 years require a review report comparing current environmental conditions and may trigger the addendum process. • Projects with completed MCEA Schedule B or C processes but not yet implemented must follow previous reports and addenda, or the new addendum and review provisions if changes are needed or if not commenced within 10 years. • Projects underway may complete the MCEA process or transition to the new streamlined EA or archaeological assessment process, depending on project type. F. Staff questions on the proposed changes to the Environmental Assessment Act Questions related to Table 1: Projects proposed to be subject to the Archaeological Assessment Process (Attachment 2) 1. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the archeological assessment process is not applicable to private developers for the following road and road-related projects outlined in Attachment 2: No. Project Description 5 Construction of underpasses or overpasses for pedestrian, cycling, recreational or agricultural use outside of a previously disturbed portion of an existing right-of-way and/or in a utility or rail corridor 8 Reconstruction of a water crossing where the reconstructed facility will not be for the same purpose, use, capacity or at the same location 9 Reconstruction of, or alteration to a structure (bridge) or the grading adjacent to it when the structure is over 40 years old where there is an increase in footprint 10 Construction of new water crossings 11 Construction of new grade separations and interchanges INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 5 2. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the archeological assessment process is not applicable to private developers for the following municipal wastewater projects outlined in Attachment 2: No. Project Description 39 Establish new or modify, retrofit or improve LID features outside of a previously disturbed portion of an existing road allowance or utility corridor or where property acquisition is required. LID – Low Impact Development means a stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and stormwater pollution by managing runoff as close to its source as possible. LID comprises a set of site design strategies that minimize runoff and distributed, small scale practices that mimic natural or predevelopment hydrology through the process of infiltration, evapotranspiration, harvesting, filtration and detention of stormwater. 40 Establish new or expand existing stormwater detention/retention ponds or tanks and appurtenances including outfall to receiving water body where all such facilities are not located in a previously disturbed portion of an existing utility corridor, or an existing road allowance or where property acquisition is required. 41 Construct a stormwater control demonstration or pilot facility for the purpose of assessing new technology or procedures. Establish stormwater infiltration system for end-of-pipe control and/or for groundwater recharge. 42 Establish stormwater infiltration system for end-of-pipe control and/or for groundwater recharge. 3. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the archeological assessment process is not applicable to private developers for any shoreline or in water works projects identified in Table 1 (Attachment 2). 4. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the requirement to consult the public was removed for road and road-related projects that do not require a streamlined EA process or how public consultation will be outlined for these types of projects. Questions related to Table 2: Projects proposed to be subject to the streamlined environmental assessment (EA) process (Attachment 3) 1. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the streamlined EA process Is not applicable for road and road-related projects specifically, road and road-related projects that consist of new infrastructure being constructed outside of an already disturbed right-of-way where there is a high likelihood of impact to the environment. INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 6 2. Staff request that the province provide clarification as to why the streamlined EA process is not applicable to private developers for stormwater and shoreline / in water works projects outlined in Table 2 (Attachment 3). General Comments 1. Any infrastructure that a municipality will assume, own, and maintain should undergo the same EA process, regardless of whether it is initiated by a public or private organization. G. Conclusion Staff have reviewed the proposed legislated changes in the ERO posting. In the interest of time and brevity, only those changes that represent a concern or require clarity to the City have been listed in this report. As stated by the province, the proposed changes are intended to help deliver critical public works faster to support housing for Ontario’s rapidly growing population by making a streamlined environmental assessment regulation for more complex municipal infrastructure projects and adding archaeological assessment requirements for other projects. While the proposed changes can help the City by reducing timelines and legislated requirements for many infrastructure projects, the changes also offer an imbalance in terms of requirements for municipalities versus the private development community. This can result in potential risk for the public entities that are ultimately taking ownership of these infrastructure assets once constructed. Staff have prepared these comments and recommendations for Council’s endorsement, to be submitted as the City’s formal comments to the ERO by February 3, 2026. Attachments: 1. Overview of proposed streamlined environmental assessment and archaeological assessment processes 2. Projects proposed to be subject to the Archaeological Assessment Process 3. Projects proposed to be subject to the streamlined environmental assessment process INF 01-26 January 26, 2026 Page 7 Approved/Endorsed By: Original signed by: Kevin Heathcote P. Eng. Director, City Infrastructure Original signed by: Richard Holborn, P. Eng. Director, Engineering Services KH:mjh Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Original signed by: Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. Diagram 1: Overview of proposed streamlined environmental assessment and archaeological assessment processes For more details on the steps outlined below, please refer to the Environmental Registry Posting New regulation to focus municipal environmental assessment requirements | Environmental Registry of Ontario Step 3: Assess potential impacts on environment, prepare and give notice of draft report. Min. 30 day review. Step 3: Proponent determines archaeological potential Step 4: Undertake Archaeological Assessment Step 5: Prepare draft report. Give notice to Indigenous Communities, copy MCM and MECP. Min. 30 day review. Step 1: Determine which process applies Project is on streamlined EA project list No potential for archaeological resources Potential for archaeological resources Waiting Period Licensed Archaeologist completes Stage 1, and where necessary, Stage 2 assessment in accordance with OHA. Project is on archaeological assessment list and an archaeological assessment has not been done since 2011 MCM enters in Register Step 2: Proponent obtains list of Indigenous Communities from MECP Project proceeds in accordance with commitments made in report Step 6: Prepare final report. Give notice to Indigenous Communities, copy MCM and MECP. Step 4: Consult with Indigenous Communities, public, etc. Step 5: Provide response to comments min. 30 days before notice of final report Step 6: Prepare final report. Give notice to Indigenous Communities, copy MECP Waiting Period Project proceeds in accordance with the final report Step 2: Proponent obtains list of Indigenous Communities from MECP Project not on either project list No EA requirements Project is on archaeological assessment list and an archaeological assessment has been done since 2011 Attachment 1 to Report INF 01-26 ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. # Proposed Project Description1,2 Applicable to Private Sector3 Road and Road-Related Projects 1 Initial stockpiling of de-icing material within an engineered permanent storage structure No 2 Construction of new parking lots not associated with a building greater 60,000 square feet (approximately 200 spaces) No 3 Construction of a new collector road, or reconstruction or widening of an existing collector road that will not be for the same purpose, use, capacity or at the same location, greater than 1 lane kilometer (i.e., 1km single-lane road) Yes 4 Construction of sidewalks, multi-purpose paths or cycling facilities outside of the previously disturbed portion of an existing right-of-way and/or in a utility or rail corridor, greater than 1km Yes 5 Construction of underpasses or overpasses for pedestrian, cycling, recreational or agricultural use outside of a previously disturbed portion of an existing right-of-way and/or in a utility or rail corridor No 6 Reconstruction or widening of roads or other linear paved road facilities where the reconstructed road or other linear road paved facilities (e.g. HOV lanes) will not be for the same purpose, use, capacity or at the same location (e.g. additional motor vehicle lanes, continuous centre turn lane that requires property, i.e. not at the same location), greater than 1 lane kilometer (i.e., 1km single-lane road) Yes 7 Construction of new roads or other linear paved road facilities (e.g. HOV lanes), greater than 1 lane kilometer (i.e., 1km single-lane road) Yes 8 Reconstruction of a water crossing where the reconstructed facility will not be for the same purpose, use, capacity or at the same location No 1 This proposed project list would apply only to projects which are not Part II.3 projects under the EA Act and projects which are not on the streamlined EA project list. If there is an overlap between a project description on this list and the streamlined EA project list, the project would be subject to the streamlined EA process. If an activity designated as subject to the archaeological assessment process is ancillary to a project that is designated as subject to the streamlined EA process, the activity would be considered part of the streamlined EA project and would be considered as part of the streamlined EA. 2 A project designated as subject to the archaeological assessment process would include any enterprise or activity that is ancillary to the project. 3 All projects on this list are proposed to be subject to the archaeological assessment process when undertaken by a municipality. Projects undertaken by private sector developers are proposed to be designated as indicated in this column. Attachment 2 to Report INF 01-26 Table 1: Projects proposed to be subject to the Archaeological Assessment Process ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. 9 Reconstruction of, or alteration to a structure (bridge) or the grading adjacent to it when the structure is over 40 years old where there is an increase in footprint No 10 Construction of new water crossings No 11 Construction of new grade separations and interchanges No Municipal Drinking Water Projects 12 Establish, extend or enlarge a drinking water distribution system and all works necessary to connect the system to an existing system or water source, where such facilities are not in a previously disturbed portion of either an existing road allowance or utility corridor No 13 Increasing drinking water pumping station capacity where new equipment is located in a new building or structure No 14 Construct a new drinking water pumping station No 15 Replace/expand existing drinking water storage facilities, where additional land must be acquired No 16 Establish new drinking water storage facilities No 17 Install a new well on an existing municipal well site No 18 Establish a well at a new municipal well site No 19 Construct a new drinking water system This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 20 Establish a new drinking water surface water source This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 21 Expand existing drinking water treatment plant including intake up to existing rated capacity where land acquisition is required No 22 Construct new drinking water treatment plant This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 23 Expand existing drinking water treatment plant. This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 24 New, expansion or replacement of drinking water intake pipe for a surface water source No 25 Install sewer connections for disposal of process wastewater from a drinking water treatment plant No 26 Establish facilities for disposal of proposal wastewater (e.g. construct holding pond, dewatering and hauling operations to disposal sites) No ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. Municipal Wastewater Projects 27 Establish, extend or enlarge a sewage collection system and all works necessary to connect the system to an existing sewage outlet where such facilities are not located in a previously disturbed portion of an existing road allowance utility corridor No 28 Increase wastewater pumping station capacity where new equipment is located in a new building or structure No 29 Construct new wastewater pumping station No 30 Construct or expand communal sewage systems with subsurface effluent disposal that requires an approval under Section 53 of the Ontario Water Resources Act No 31 A new municipal holding tank that is designed for the total retention of all sanitary sewage disposed into it and requires periodic emptying No 32 Expand sewage treatment plant, including relocation or replacement of outfall to receiving water body, up to existing rated capacity where new land acquisition is required No 33 Construct new sewage treatment plant This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 34 Expand existing sewage treatment plant beyond existing rated capacity This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 35 Establish sewage flow equalization tankage for influent and/or effluent control within existing sewer system or at existing sewage treatment plants, or at existing pumping stations No 36 Construct new sewage lagoons This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 37 Expand an existing sewage lagoon This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 38 Establishing a sewage detention or retention facility that provides treatment of the sewage This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. Yes 39 Establish new or modify, retrofit or improve LID features outside of a previously disturbed portion of an existing road allowance or utility corridor or where property acquisition is required. LID – Low Impact Development Means a stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and stormwater pollution by managing runoff as close to its source as possible. LID comprises a set of site design strategies that minimize runoff and distributed, small scale No ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. practices that mimic natural or predevelopment hydrology through the process or infiltration, evapotranspiration, harvesting, filtration and detention of stormwater. 40 Establish new or expand existing stormwater detention/retention ponds or tanks and appurtenances including outfall to receiving water body where all such facilities are not located in a previously disturbed portion of an existing utility corridor, or an existing road allowance or where property acquisition is required No 41 Construct a stormwater control demonstration or pilot facility for the purpose of assessing new technology or procedures. No 42 Establish stormwater infiltration system for end-of-pipe control and/or for groundwater recharge No Shoreline / In water works 43 Construct berms along a watercourse for purposes of flood control in areas subject to damage by flooding No 44 Modify existing water crossings for the purposes of flood control No 45 Works undertaken in a watercourse for the purposes of flood control or erosion control. This designation does not apply if the project is designated as a project to which the streamlined EA process applies. No 46 Construction of spillway facilities at existing outfalls for erosion or sedimentation control No 47 Construct a fishway or fish ladder in a natural watercourse, expressly for the purpose of providing a fishway No 48 Reconstruct existing weir or dam at the same location where the purpose, use and/or capacity are changed and there is an increase in footprint No 49 Enclose a watercourse in a storm sewer No ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. Table 2: Projects proposed to be subject to the streamlined environmental assessment process 4 A project designated as subject to the streamlined EA process would include any enterprise or activity that is ancillary to the project. 5 All projects on this list are proposed to be designated as Part II.4 projects under the EA Act when undertaken by a municipality. Projects undertaken by private sector developers are proposed to be designated as indicated in this column. # Initial Proposal Updated Proposal Description of Change Proposed Project Description4 Applicable to Private Sector5 Drinking Water Projects 1 Construct a new drinking water system that includes a new well. Establishing a drinking water system if, i.the system has a rated capacityof greater than 100,000 litresper day, ii.a permit under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 is required to establish the system, and iii.a licence under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 is required to use or operate the system. Yes Project description combines three project types from initial proposal and more clearly identifies the types of systems that are subject to the process. Changes also incorporate a proposed threshold of 100,000 litres per day. 2 Construct a new drinking water system that includes a new water distribution system. 3 Establish a new surface water source. 3 Establish a new surface water source. Making a change to an existing drinking water system described above if making the changes would result in the system using a surface water source that is not currently being used by the system. No Clarified project description. 4 Artificially recharge an existing aquifer from a surface water source for purposes of water supply. Establishing infrastructure for the purpose of artificially recharging an aquifer from a surface water source No Clarified project description. Attachment 3 to Report INF 01-26 ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. for the purposes of using the aquifer as a source of drinking water. 5 Construct a new drinking water treatment plant or expand existing drinking water treatment plant beyond existing rated capacity. Establishing a drinking water treatment plant that has a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day and is part of a drinking water system described above. Yes Project description from initial proposal is now split into separate project descriptions for new plants and changes to existing plants and incorporates a proposed threshold of 100,000 litres per day. Only the designation for establishing a new drinking water treatment plant is proposed to apply to private sector developers. Making a change to an existing drinking water treatment plant that has a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day and is part of a drinking water system described above, if making the change would result in, i. the rated capacity increasing by at least 50 per cent of the comparator rated capacity, or ii. the rated capacity being at least 2,275,000 litres per day more than the comparator rated capacity. No Updated proposed project description incorporates a proposed threshold to designate expansions greater than 50%, or 2,275,000 litres per day, increase in rated capacity. ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. Making a change to an existing drinking water treatment plant that is part of a drinking water system for which a permit is required and a licence is required to use or operate the system, if i. the plant has a rated capacity of less than or equal to 100,000 litres per day, and ii. making the change would result in the plant having a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. Updated to designate expansions that would create a drinking water treatment plant with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. “comparator rated capacity” means, in respect of a drinking water treatment plant, the greater of, a) the lowest rated capacity of the plant during the previous 10-year period; and b) the rated capacity of the plant used for the purposes of an environmental assessment most recently completed in respect of the plant. Wastewater Projects 6 Construct new sewage system with a rated capacity of greater than 50,000 litres per day, including outfall to receiving water body and/or a constructed wetland for treatment. Establishing a sewage system other than a subsurface sewage disposal system, with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. Yes Updated the proposed project threshold. 7 Construct a new sewage treatment plant with a rated capacity of greater than 50,000 litres per day. Establishing a sewage treatment plant with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. Yes Updated the proposed project threshold. ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. 8 Expand an existing sewage treatment plant by 25% or more of existing rated capacity. Making a change to an existing sewage treatment plant with a rated capacity of less than or equal to 100,000 litres per day if making the change would result in the plant having a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. No Updated to designate expansions that would create a sewage treatment plant greater than 100,000 litres per day or that expand a sewage treatment plant by more than 50% or 2,275,000 liters per day. Making a change to a sewage treatment plant with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day, if making the change would result in i.the rated capacity of the plantincreasing by 50% or more of thecomparator rated capacity; orii.the rated capacity of the plantbeing at least 2,275,000 litres perday more than the comparatorrated capacity. “comparator rated capacity” means, in respect of a sewage treatment plant, the greater of, a)the lowest rated capacity ofthe plant set out in anenvironmental compliance approval that applied inrespect of the plant during theprevious 10-year period; and b)the lowest rated capacity ofthe plant used for thepurposes of an environmental assessment most recentlycompleted in respect of theplant. No 9 Establish new sewage lagoons with a rated capacity of greater than 50,000 Establishing a sewage lagoon facility with a rated capacity of greater than Yes Project description from initial proposal is now split ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. litres per day or expand existing lagoons by 25% or more of existing rated capacity or install new or additional sewage storage tanks which will increase by 25% or more of existing rated capacity. 100,000 litres per day. into separate project descriptions for new lagoon facilities and changes to existing lagoon facilities. Only the designation for establishing a sewage lagoon facility is proposed to apply to private sector developers. Updated proposed project description incorporates a proposed threshold of 100,000 litres per day. Making a change to a sewage lagoon facility with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day, if making the change would increase the rated capacity of the facility by greater than or equal to 25% of the comparator rated capacity. No Note that the 25% expansion threshold is not proposed to change for sewage lagoons. ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. Making a change to an existing sewage lagoon facility with a rated capacity of less than or equal to 100,000 litres per day if making the change would result in the facility having a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. “comparator rated capacity” means, in respect of a sewage lagoon facility, the greater of, a)the lowest rated capacity of the plant or facility set out inan environmental complianceapproval that applied in respect of the facility duringthe previous 10-year period;and b)the lowest rated capacity ofthe facility used for thepurposes of an environmental assessment most recentlycompleted in respect of thefacility. Updated to designate expansions that would create a sewage treatment plant with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. 10 Establish a new biosolids landfill site or new biosolids incineration site for purposes of biosolids disposal. N/A N/A The designation of waste disposal sites is addressed in Part IV of O.Reg. 50/24. 11 Establish a new transfer station or new sewage holding tank/storage lagoon not located at a sewage treatment plant, incinerator, landfill site, or organic soil conditioning site, for purposes of biosolids management. Establishing a sewage lagoon facility that temporarily stores sewage biosolids and that, (a)treats sewage biosolids;(b)discharges to a water body or water course; and (c)is not located at a thermal treatment site, landfilling site, organic soil conditioning site, Yes This project description is now focused on new storage lagoons only used as transfer stations. Holding tanks with no discharge are considered waste disposal sites, and the designation of waste disposal sites are ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. sewage treatment plant or an existing sewage lagoon facility. addressed in Part IV of O.Reg. 50/24. 12 Construct new sanitary or combined sewage retention / detention facility at a new location. Establishing a sewage detention or retention facility that provides treatment of the sewage with a rated capacity of greater than 100,000 litres per day. Yes Updated project description clarifies that this applies to facilities with treatment and incorporates a proposed threshold to align with other projects. 13 Provide sewage effluent for land application through spray irrigation system or overland flow. N/A N/A This designation is not necessary. If a sewage system, sewage treatment plant, sewage lagoon facility or sewage detention or retention facility is proposed to be established or changed and the system, plant or facility would dispose of sewage effluent through land application, the land application of sewage would be considered an ancillary activity to the establishing or changing of the system, plant or facility and would be assessed under those projects that are designated. Stormwater Management Projects ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. 14 Construct new or modify, retrofit or improve existing retention/detention facility or infiltration system for the purpose of stormwater quality control where active chemical or biological treatment or disinfection is included, including outfall to receiving water body. Establishing a storm water management facility that, (a)manages storm water that iscontaminated with pollutantsother than total suspendedsolids, oil, grease, andchlorides from roads; and(b)uses a chemical or biologicaltreatment or disinfection to treatthe storm water, and(c)requires the operator of thefacility to be actively involved in treating the storm water. No Clarified project description. Making a change to a storm water management facility not described above if making the change would result in the facility being a facility described above. No Shoreline/In-water works 15 Construction of a diversion channel or sewer for the purpose of diverting flows from one watercourse to another. Establishing a conveyance system that conveys water from one watercourse to another. No Clarified project description. 16 Construct new shoreline works, such as off-shore breakwaters, shore-connected breakwaters, groynes and sea walls. Establishing erosion works. “erosion works” means a works that rehabilitates, protects or manages a shoreline by preventing erosion or controlling sediment exchange between land and water such as a breakwall that protects a shoreline from eroding. No Clarified project description. 17 Construct a new dam or weir in a watercourse. Establishing a dam. No Clarified project description. ERO # 019-7891 – December 5th, 2025. Updated Proposal Materials. “dam” means a structure constructed in a watercourse for the purpose of holding back water and includes a weir.