Stormwater Management Pond Policy

Related procedure

Stormwater Management Pond Procedure

Policy statement

The design, use and maintenance of Stormwater Management Ponds (SWMPs) within the Town of Oakville shall be in accordance with the Ministry of Environment Guidelines and shall conform to safety standards in the established procedure.

Purpose

SWMPs are designed to provide treatment and retention of runoff from rainfall and snowmelt and ultimately protect the health of streams, lakes and aquatic life by reducing the effects of human uses of water and urban development.  SWMPs are not designed or intended for recreational use such as swimming, wading, skating, boating, fishing and fish stocking.

Stormwater management facilities have been incorporated into parks and open space areas in accordance with the Ministry of Environment Guidelines and Best Management Practices.  The design is intended to allow public accessibility to trails and park lands adjacent to and surrounding these facilities. The promotion of safe use of SWMPs is intended to protect workers and the public.  The use of safety signage and perimeter fencing shall be carried out in accordance with the established procedure.

Maintenance activities, including wildlife management shall be carried out in accordance with the established procedure.

The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the safe use, safety standards, and wildlife habitat management practices for SWMPs.

Scope

This policy applies to all town-managed SWMPs, as well as unassumed SWMPs intended for assumption by the Town of Oakville.

Definitions

SWMP – Stormwater Management Pond