Dear lokesh Punj, A ...

Dear lokesh Punj, A floodplain or flood plain is an area of land adjacent to a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge. Knowing where flood waters may rise to in the event of an extreme storm is important for land use planning and emergency management. This knowledge allows us to direct land uses away from areas of risk – areas that could be inundated with flood waters could trap people from escaping from a flooded area and could damage private property and public infrastructure. Flood plains are determined based upon information gathered, analysed and synthesized as part of a flood study. Flood studies are technical reports that use topographical information, surveys of infrastructure such as the size of bridges and culverts, land use information, weather data, stream flow data, and detailed hydraulic and hydrologic models of each watershed in order to determine the spatial extent of a flood plain. The flood plain boundaries are shown on detailed maps. Flood studies and flood plain mapping are prepared and approved for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) by qualified Water Resource Engineers using standards and criteria established by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. As each of the variables mentioned above can change (i.e. topography, infrastructure, land use, weather data, stream flows, and hydraulic and hydrological modelling techniques), so too will the resulting flood plain boundary. In order to ensure that flood plain boundaries are current and up to date, new flood studies are commissioned every 10 to 20 years for each watershed within TRCA’s jurisdiction. When flood plain boundaries change some lands that were formally within a flood plain are removed and others are added. Development in a designated flood risk area, development in a flood plain and development in a climate change flood zone shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Minister of Environment and Conservation (the “Minister”) in accordance with the Act. The Water Resources Management Division of this Department will continue as the lead agency with respect to flood plain management. This role will include but is not limited to: i. Evaluating all applications for approval under section 48 of the Act and making the appropriate recommendations in accordance with this policy. ii. Carrying out hydrotechnical studies, flood risk analyses and mapping to the extent possible with limited funds provided. iii. Continuing to monitor areas of flood risk such as Badger, Deer Lake and Steady Brook to provide flood warning and flood status reports. iv. Providing to the public information, data, maps, guidelines for flood proofing and other materials that will be useful in reducing flood damage. v. Providing technical expertise and assisting Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador in the event of a flood emergency. vi. Continue with the ability to forecast flooding using computer models and real time data. Regards, Prem Baboo