Draft LTVCA Chatham-Kent Lake Erie Shoreline Policies

The LTVCA has undertaken a review of our lake shore policies within Chatham-Kent (CK) as they relate to the higher than average lake levels.  Due to shoreline flooding concerns and increases to erosion rates along our coastal areas, greater impacts from the higher lake levels are and will continue to affect shoreline properties and municipal infrastructure.  At this point in time, CA and municipal staff are seeing increased damages at accelerated rates, which may continue into the winter months.  Additionally, feedback from residents suggests that our current policy documents can be simplified to provide clarity and be easier to understand.

As a result of the above issues, the LTVCA has undertaken a process to clarify wording around shoreline regulations within our jurisdiction.  The policy will be reviewed again at the time the CK Lake Erie Shoreline Study is completed in early 2020.

Preliminary technical results from the consultant undertaking the Chatham-Kent Shoreline Study indicate that our currently utilized shoreline setbacks in CK, which are based on a 100 year erosion allowance that was established in the early 2000’s, are underestimating the 100 year erosion allowance as a result of the high water impacts. Plus, in the future, erosion rates are projected to increase due to reductions in winter ice-cover as a result of climate change.

The municipality and the LTVCA wants to ensure that our policies don’t undermine where the study is moving and wants to help transition between the LTVCA Guidelines of 2012 and current conditions.  It also provides an opportunity to ensure that our policies are consistent with the provincial approach.

There are only limited changes from the existing LTVCA policy and these draft policies are ONLY for the Lake Erie shoreline in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

New development is currently prohibited within a defined distance from the shoreline in erosion prone and slope failure areas (100 Year Erosion Allowance + 3:1 Stable Slope Allowance or Wave Uprush Zones [Dynamic Beach Areas]).  With this policy, the LTVCA is proposing to bump the setback out a further (15 m or 50’) which is currently the Additional Allowance Area as part of the total regulated area.  As a result, no new structures will be permitted within the 100 Year Erosion Allowance, the 3:1 Stable Slope Allowance or Wave Uprush Zones [Dynamic Beach Areas], plus the 15 m Additional Access Allowance.

No significant changes from current Conservation Authority and Municipal policies will occur for Erie Beach, Erieau, Shrewsbury and Rondeau Bay Estates; with minor changes for Erie Shore Drive, Bates Drive and Rose Beach Line.  The areas with the most change will be along bluff reaches where erosion rates are potentially going to increase significantly with the upcoming shoreline study results.

This change is designed to better protect the public and new development from high lake levels and storm related events along the Lake Erie shoreline.

For any comments / concerns on the policy, please email comments prior to October 3, 2019 to:  [email protected] or to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 100 Thames Street, Chatham, Ontario, N7L 2Y8.