Technical Manuals, Guidelines, Standards and Policy

Review and impact assessment of Recent Provincial Natural Hazard Legislation and Conservation Authority Regulation changes [i.e. the Conservation Authority Act (CA Act) April 1, 2024 and Ontario Regulation 41/24, Feb.16, 2024], along with the proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) as they related to the Natural Hazards. Municipal impacts were also assessed as they related to the recent Natural Hazard changes.

On behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resource (MNR) Ms. Sullivan developed and provided the Technical Shoreline Training (Flooding, Erosion & Dynamic Beaches) for the Great Lakes, Large Inland Lakes and St. Lawrence River to all of the Conservation Authorities Staff across the Province.

Ms. Sullivan was one of the MNR staff authors of the MNR Understanding the Hazards document: MNR. (2001) . Understanding Natural Hazards. Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River System and large inland lakes, river and stream systems and hazardous site. An introductory guide for public health and safety policies 3.1 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). Published by Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Copyright © 2001 The Queen's Printer for Ontario.

The Provincial Natural Hazards Training Manual – ‘Understanding the Hazards’ included the following area requirements;

Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System (Flooding, Erosion & Dynamic Beach),
Large Inland Lakes (Flooding, Erosion & Dynamic Beach),
River and Stream Systems (Flooding & Erosion),
‘Technical Guide for River and Stream Systems: Erosion Hazard’,
‘The Hazardous Sites Technical Guide’.
‘Stable Slopes - Geotechnical Principles’ for the Province of Ontario’,

Ms. Sullivan worked as a team member (one of the authors) in the development of the PPS Section 3.1: Public Health and Safety Policy and the final production of the following technical documents:

OMNR (200) . Great Lakes — St. Lawrence River System and Large Inland Lakes Technical Guides for flooding, erosion and dynamic beaches in support of Natural Hazards Policies 3.1 of the Provincial Policy Statement (1997) of the Planning Act. Published by Watershed Science Centre, Copyright © 2001 The Queen's Printer for Ontario.

Ms. Sullivan was part of the team which developed and produced the 2002 technical guides. It was a multiyear project where coastal engineering processes were detailed and procedures outlined on what the hazards were and the requirements on how to address the flooding, erosion and Dynamic Beach hazards could be considered. This involved research, identification of needs, criteria development and refinement of the policy and the supporting technical documentation for coastal shorelines. A procedure to ensure and promote the integration of a decision-making process between addressing the physical coastal hazards, while ensuring the protection and enhancement of the environment (aquatic and terrestrial) was developed. Currently the Municipalities, Townships, Regional and County governments use these Guidelines to carry out their PPS responsibilities, and the Conservation Authorities also use them to assist them in carrying out their new “Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses” Regulations throughout the province.

Ms. Sullivan is currently (2024-2025) on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Updating of the MNR Ontario River and Stream Systems: Erosion Hazard Limit Technical Guide.

Review of Technical Guide for Source Water Protection with a focus on the Delineation of Protection Zones to ensure consistency with the Natural Hazards Policy. Assist in the initiation/startup of the Source Water Protection Boards for several of the South Western regions.

Conducted a feasibility study where an assessment of the needs for the development of a waterfront strategy for the Town of Arnprior including; natural processes, environmental issues, planning options, tourism, recreation, natural and cultural heritage, social and economic issues was undertaken.

Development of Draft Dredging Guidelines for the DFO, which outlined coastal and river processes and how they relate to the Federal Fisheries Act. Initiated project interviews with contractors, research state of the art methods and procedures. Topics covered in guidelines were; coastal and river processes, construction procedures, approval process, compensation and mitigation measures such as silt curtains, timing restrictions with respect to the protection of Fish and Fish Habitat.

Conducted numerous research projects as part of the development and design of programs and projects for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Skills involve the transfer of technical data and information into easily understood documentation and presentation materials by determining the various needs of the audience.

Responsible for evaluating the science and information needs essential in supporting the interpretation and implementation of the coastal and river policies. Made recommendations on technical direction, content, current and future needs to address coastal and river program needs for the Ministry of Natural Resources policy branch.