Marina Development
Marina developments are large projects that often require a significant investment of time and money to complete. While there are many socioeconomic benefits to developing a new marina, there are also socioeconomic and environmental impacts that must be considered. These may include increased boat traffic on a lake, additional pressure on fisheries, alteration of aquatic and riparian habitats and a decline in water quality. Therefore, these impacts must be carefully considered at the design and regulatory approvals phases to ensure they are mitigated. Consequently, design and approval may take months, or even years, to complete depending on the complexity of the project.
How long does it take to obtain an AHPP for a marina development?
It is reasonable to expect it to take 1-2 years to obtain an AHPP for a marina development.
Why so long?
Marina projects often require approvals from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Some of these approvals must be in place before WSA can complete its review. In most cases, consultation with local First Nations and Métis communities is also necessary before an AHPP can be issued. It is important to engage early with regulatory agencies with the understanding that project plans may change through the process.
What do I need to submit with my AHPP application?
- Proof of land ownership or other appropriate form of land control for development.
- An engineered plan/design with consideration of water circulation and mixing to maintain suitable water temperature and quality. The plan must also show the depths of the marina, the lake near the marina opening and the channel connecting the marina to the lake (for backshore marinas) and any other structures such as breakwaters.
- Schematic showing the location of all facilities (e.g., parking lots, stores, restaurants, fueling stations, boat launches, washrooms, fileting stations).
- Erosion and sediment control plan to prevent sediment from entering the lake during construction and once construction is complete.
- Spill prevention and response procedures.
- Details on the number of slips, moorings, docks, etc.; their design (i.e., floating, anchors, pilings); and the materials used in their construction (e.g., treated wood, aluminum, concrete, plastic).
What else should I consider?
Marinas should be situated where the water is deep enough so dredging for access is seldom required. It is also important to design a marina so there is good water circulation throughout the marina to ensure mixing and flushing. This will prevent the water in a marina from stagnating. Designing a marina with multiple entrances where the entrance depth is equal to that of the basin (in the lake) will also help to improve flushing.
Certain wood preservatives, such as creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), have concerns relating to environment and human health. Creosote has been, and pentachlorophenol will be (April 2023), phased out of use in Canada. Therefore, materials treated with these products will not be approved by WSA for use in marina developments.
Offshore (in-lake) marinas result in the infill and loss of fish habitat and will require review by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Visit the DFO website for more information and review.
If your marina has the potential to negatively affect navigation, you may also need to submit an application for an approval to the Navigation Protection Program administered by Transport Canada. For more information on the program, visit the Transport Canada website.