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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

AG-1

Raisin Region, South Nation

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – NMA - ASM and NASM Inspections

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Future & Existing

Implemented

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) does not issue instruments under the Nutrient Management Act framework, rather the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) conducts this function. MECP does not issue instruments under the Nutrient Management Act framework. All instruments are issues by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). The MECP undertakes an annual planned inspection program that addresses risk to human and environmental health at Agricultural sites. Inspections target Agricultural Source Material (ASM) and Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) as regulated under the Nutrient Management Act. An intentional, core function of the Nutrient Management Act is to keep nutrients, pathogens and contaminants away from wells and surface water which in turn support the objectives of Source Water Protection. Inspections are designed to prioritize operations which could present a higher risk to these features. Each year diagnostics are completed on the results of these various inspections. A total of 235 agricultural inspections were completed across Ontario in 2024. With 7 inspections completed within the Raisin Region Source Protection Area. In the South Nation Source Protection Area, 8 inspections were completed. Of the inspections in the Raisin Region Source Protection Area, 5 inspections identified non-compliance which have since been resolved. Of the inspections in the South Nation Source Protection Area, 6 inspections identified non-compliance which has since been resolved.

OMAFA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

No existing NASM plans were required to have conditions to address SWP policies in this area in 2024.

OMAFA - NASM Plans

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

3 NASM plans approved in South Nation in 2024. All had the vulnerable taken out of the NASM application area so NASM could not be applied to that area.

OMAFA - NMS

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

No existing NMS were required to have conditions to address SWP policies in this area in 2024.

OMAFA - NMS

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

No new NMS were required to have conditions to address SWP policies in this area in 2024.

Policy Text:

Where the following activities are or could be an existing or future significant threat, the threat shall be managed though the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (as amended):

storage and application of agricultural source material;
the handling, storage, and application of non-agricultural source material;
the use of land for an outdoor confinement area or a farm-animal yard; and
the application of commercial fertilizer to land.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will work with farmers to review existing and future Nutrient Management Plans, Strategies, and Non-Agricultural Source Material Plans to ensure that they contain best management practices to ensure that agricultural activities are not, or do not, become a significant drinking water threat. Instruments that exist before the day the Source Protection Plan takes effect must be reviewed and, if necessary, amended within three years.
Note: Additional policies apply. See MONITORING-3.

Monitoring Text:

MONITORING-3: Prescribed Instruments:
By February 1st of each year, the Ministries shall prepare an annual summary of the actions taken to achieve the outcomes of the Source Protection policies in the previous calendar year and make that report available to the Source Protection Authority.
Additionally, it is strongly recommended that the Ministry responsible for approval, inspections, and enforcement for each Prescribed Instrument include the following in their annual report:
• The number of instruments which have been reviewed and changes made including amendments to Environmental Compliance Approvals, Nutrient Management Plans/Strategies or Non-Agricultural Source Material Plans;
• Compliance and enforcement relating to Prescribed Instruments for significant threat activities; and
• Prioritized inspections in the vulnerable areas