The Protocol, first developed in 2005, continues to provide for timely and efficient water crossing approvals. This version of the Protocol builds on the 2005 Protocol and incorporates a modernized planning and approval framework that addresses the following three objectives:

  1. Help ensure that water crossings in Crown managed forests are planned, constructed, and removed in a manner that avoids and minimizes potential negative impacts to the aquatic environment and protect fish and fish habitat, as defined by the Fisheries Act and related policy.
  2. Utilize a risk-informed approach for proponents that employs pre-determined and mandatory technical water crossing standards for the construction and/or removal of lower-risk water crossing projects, while focussing Ministry of Natural Resources and Department of Fisheries and Oceans' efforts and resources on the review and approval of proposed construction and/or removal of higher-risk water crossings.
  3. Support the transformation of Ontario’s public sector and modernize business processes to ensure Ontarians receive quality services that are effective and efficient; and continue to implement opportunities to improve organizational flexibility and responsiveness, modernize policy and delivery frameworks.