Regulatory Changes: Wetlands, Bodies of Water, Cartography of Flood Zones & Channel Migration Zones, and Protection Works
Report
On June 11, the Minister of Environment announced major changes to modernize regulations concerning wetlands and bodies of water, the management of flood protection works, the delineation of flood zones, and channel migration zones of a watercourse. The stated goal is to ensure the safety of the Quebec population, protect property, and preserve the environment. The minister highlighted the historic floods of 2017 and 2023, as well as the breach of a dike in 2019, with their social and health impacts and property loss, combined with the intensification of phenomena related to climate change.
The minister proposes three new regulations (ad hoc translation):
- Draft regulation on the regulatory scheme applying to activities under the responsibility of municipalities carried out in bodies of water and on flood protection works;
- Draft regulation on flood protection works;
- Draft regulation concerning transitional rules applicable in the event of changes to the delineation of flood zones and channel migration zones of a watercourse, as well as those applicable to implementing regulations establishing a new planning regime in flood zones and governing flood protection works.
These regulations will be available for consultation starting June 19, 2024.
In-depth changes will be made to the four (4) core regulations on wetlands and bodies of water, as well as concordance amendments to 33 regulations.
The four most affected regulations are:
- Draft regulation amending the Regulation respecting activities in wetlands, bodies of water, and sensitive areas (RAMHHS);
- Draft regulation amending the Regulation respecting the regulatory scheme applying to activities based on their environmental impact, (REAFIE);
- Draft regulation amending the Regulation respecting environmental impact assessment and review of certain projects (REEIE);
- Draft regulation amending the Regulation respecting compensation for adverse effects on wetlands and bodies of water (RCAMHH).
A new risk management-focused cartography of flood zones and channel migration zones of a watercourse will be created, as many maps are over 30 years old. The Info-crue website already provides some useful links.
One of the goals of the regulatory changes is the management of flood protection works, and the potential transfer of jurisdiction to municipalities.
A methodological guide is available on the Ministry of Environment’s website, and webinars explaining these new regulatory changes will be offered starting in June at this LINK on the website (in French only).
Webinar – An Overview of the Regulatory Framework Modernization Project for Bodies of Water
- Date: June 20
- Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Participate online (External Link)
For more information, please see the page on the transitional regime, Transitional Management Regime for Flood Zones, Shorelines, and Coastlines, (in French only, at this link: Régime transitoire de gestion des zones inondables, des rives et du littoral).
Do not hesitate to contact us for any additional information or any issues related to water or environmental matters.