CLI-ECA

In 2020, the MECP introduced a new process named the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval process (CLI-ECA). This replaced the Transfer of Review Program established in 2018, in which the Town of Halton Hills was a participant.

The CLI-ECA process was planned to streamline the approval process by transferring approval authority from the Province to the Town for all low-risk stormwater infrastructure works on the municipal stormwater management (SWM) system.

Please refer to the Council report for additional details:

• REPORT NO. TPW-2023-009

• Appendix A - Fee Structure

• Appendix B - History

• Appendix C - Gaps

NOTE: Permissions for sanitary infrastructure changes are managed by Halton Region under a separate CLI-ECA.

NOTE: Private SWM infrastructure is not covered by the CLI-ECA processes.

1.0      Alterations to the Municipal Stormwater Management System

1.1           For greater certainty, the Alterations authorized under this Approval are limited to Sewage Works comprising the Authorized System which does not include municipally or Privately Owned Stormwater Works:

1.1.1         On industrial, commercial, or institutional land;

1.1.2        Serving a single parcel of land, unless the stormwater management facility is located on a municipally owned park or community center;

1.1.3        That are operated as waste disposal sites defined under the EPA or snow dump / melt facilities; or

1.1.4        That propose to collect, store, treat, or discharge stormwater containing substances or pollutants (other than Total Suspended Solids, or oil and grease) detrimental to the environment or human health.

For more information on works that qualify for direct submission to the MECP, refer to the Ministry’s Guide to applying for an environmental compliance approval.

Certain routine and lower-risk activities require applicants to register online in the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). In these cases, an ECA is not required. To find out when to apply for an ECA or when to self-register for an EASR, check the Ministry’s website or contact them directly:

• Phone: 416-314-8001 (Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290); or

• Email: enviropermissions@ontario.ca

All development applications must first go through the Town of Halton Hills development review process, regardless of the applicable ECA/EASR process.

NOTE: To facilitate final approval, it is advised that the requirements of the CLI-ECA SWM application are incorporated into the design during the Town of Halton Hills development review for preliminary screening.

The Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner (i.e., the Design Engineer) must be engaged to prepare the documents required to secure the permission. Please note that it is a separate submission and while some information might be included in parts of the submissions under the Planning Act, in order to keep the public records of all changes to the municipal stormwater management infrastructure, a separate submission under the CLI-ECA is required.

Town staff will communicate by email to facilitate submission, review and approvals.

There are important notes to remember:

1. The design of the future municipal stormwater management system must conform to the requirements outlined in the Section “Design Requirements”. Incomplete applications will be returned to the Licensed Engineering Practitioner.

2. There is a fee required for a review in accordance with the Town’s By-law No. 2023-0068.

3. Incomplete applications, or multiple reviews will be subject to additional fees.

4. List of required documents:

   • A Cover Letter explaining the location of the project and the proposed stormwater management infrastructure including types (ponds, swales, storm sewers, outlets, LIDS, culverts, third pipe system, etc.). The Cover Letter should also include email contact information of the applicant and the Design Engineer for further communication on the subject matter. The Cover Letter must be signed and sealed by an Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner. The Cover Letter must specify the following qualifications at the very least:

     • Ponds – number and type

     • Swales – function, total length and typical profile dimensions

     • Storm sewers – diameters and length in a table

     • Outlets – watersheds, coordinates, drainage areas (a sewershed map is required) and a type

     • LID – type, coordinates

     • Culverts – coordinates; dimensions

     • Third pipe – diameter, length, purpose 

   • Completion of pre-authorization forms (SW1, SW2, or SW3) (Parts 1-4 only) depending on what applicable infrastructure is proposed in the design. 

     • SW1: Storm Sewers, Ditches, and Culverts - excludes pumping stations and forcemains.

     • SW2: Stormwater Management Facilities - e.g., stormwater management ponds, low-impact development features, manufactured treatment devices, etc.

     • SW3: Third Pipe Collection Systems - e.g., sewage works designed to collect and transmit foundation drainage and/or groundwater to a receiving surface water or dry well.

NOTE: If a project includes a new STM and a pond, than SW1 and SW2 should be completed and signed as part of the application.

The Design Engineer will need to complete and sign Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the pre-authorization forms (SW1, SW2 or SW3) with their CLI-ECA submission. Part 5 of the application form is not to be completed during the design phase. Parts 1 to 4 must be completed before starting the alternation.

• The forms mentioned above (SW1, SW2, SW3) identify under Part 2 what supplementary documents and drawings must be provided in both .pdf and .cad formats. Those documents include but are not limited to the reports and drawings that need to be submitted to support the proposed stormwater management works.

• A separate letter from the Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner confirming that the Alteration(s) will not result in Adverse Effects. 

• Completion of the Summary of the SWM Facility Form filled out by the Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner.

• Completion of the Asset Management Form filled out by the Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner. (Example)

• A copy of the proof of consent from the Conservation Authority (CH, CVC or GRCA) or MNRF.

• Maps showing whether the works are in the Source Water Protection Area. The MECP Mapping Atlas is available here.

• If the works are located in the Source Water Protection Area, details on proposed measures to confirm that the future works would not pose a significant threat to drinking water should be reviewed by the Region of Halton. The Source Protection ECA Screening Form should be submitted to the Region of Halton through email: sourcewater@halton.ca.

• Indigenous consultation may be required if the project has land, water, or archeological impacts. For applicable projects, documentation of Indigenous consultation is required. To address comments related to this item, please contact Catherine McLeod (she/her), Manager of Culture and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at cmcleod@haltonhills.ca. 

Incomplete applications will be returned to the Ontario Licensed Engineering Practitioner without review. The fees are non-refundable. 

Once approved by the signing authority (the Town of Halton Hills), an electronic copy of the pre-authorization forms SW1, SW2 and SW3 will be forwarded to the applicant and the Design Engineer by email, and Town staff will get involved in construction inspections.

The issuing of this Approval does not negate the requirements of other regulatory agencies, which may include:

• Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry,

• Grand River Conservation Authority,

• Credit Valley Conservation Authority,

• Halton Region Conservation Authority,

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada,

• Transport Canada, and

• other agencies as required.

Which design standards and guidelines should be followed to prepare the application?

Outlets

• Stormwater Management Criteria Document (TRCA, 2012)

Inspection and Maintenance 

• MECP Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guidance Manual (2003)

• TRCA Inspection and Maintenance Guide for SWM Ponds (2018)

• TRCA LID Inspection and Maintenance (2016)

• CVC Lessons Learned: Stormwater Management and Low Impact Development Monitoring and Performance Assessment Guide (2015)

Erosion and Sediment Control

• CAN/CSA-W202-18: Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection and Monitoring Standard (CSA Group, 2018, as amended)

• CSA W208:20 Erosion and sediment control installation and maintenance (CSA Group, 2020, as amended)

• TRCA Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction (TRCA, 2019, as amended)

Designs must reflect the most conservative of the standards and guidelines listed above. Use of standards and guidelines other than those listed must be justified in the design report/brief (with sources cited) and may require a Direct ECA Submission to the Ministry.

The publications mentioned above are updated from time to time. Applicants are encouraged to obtain publications directly from the MECP, TRCA, CH, GRCA and CVC websites. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the most up-to-date version of the design standards and guidelines are referenced.

Is there a cost associated with the pre-authorization under CLI-ECA review and approval?

To facilitate the review and the pre-authorization, a fee payment is required. Please refer to By-Law No. 2023-0068 for details.

The cost of the review and approval is determined by the Development Engineering file manager based on the Town’s User Fee By-law (as amended from time to time). The required amount of fees will be confirmed by Town staff via email to the applicant before the application submission.

These fees cover the Town’s technical review and permitting process.

 NOTE: The fees are to cover staff’s time for review of two (2) submissions only. Additional submissions will require additional fees of $1,000 (HST exempt) per submission.