Rural residents oppose proposed stormwater management fee hike
A proposal by the city to increase stormwater management fees in rural areas has sparked a flood of opposition from residents, who argue that unlike urban areas with extensive sewer systems, they rely on natural methods to manage runoff.
While urban communities benefit from thousands of kilometers of sewers to drain water away from homes and roads, rural areas like Richmond rely on land absorption and roadside ditches.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The proposed stormwater management fee, by the City of Ottawa, which would be added to property taxes, has raised concerns among residents like Bob Moore.
"What the city is planning to do is based upon the impervious square footage with our properties that we would pay an annual tax based on that square foot," says Moore. "I see it as being a shift in taxation from the urban and suburban areas to the rural area and yet we are not getting the benefits."
The new fee structure would be based on areas which cannot drain water, like driveways, barns, sheds, and houses; however, the issue becomes complex when considering properties with gravel driveways, where water can soak in.
"My driveway is 150 feet long and all of that water this morning is soaked into the ground," says Moore. "And in the city's preliminary study to council, they were going to disregard gravel driveways. Why can't we just stick with the current assessment? Why complicate life?"
Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown agrees, calling the proposed fee hike a 'ditch tax' and pledging to stand with constituents in opposition at a meeting on Thursday.
"I certainly share that outrage and that concern. In rural Ottawa, we have about 5,000 km of rural ditch, roadside ditch, and that's the predominant stormwater feature that we have. We have a very little in the way of underground heavy stormwater piping; about 151 kilometres," says Brown. "We don't have a high intensity need for stormwater management beyond the roadside ditch. The city wants to hear resident feedback, but it's important and I want to see comments received in the rural area actually impact that staff report that we are going to see mid next year."
Some landowners like John Compton, who owns 33 acres of land, believe they should be credited by the city.
"I should receive serious credit because I'm actually helping absorb a lot of stormwater on my previous landscape. I have forests and everything," says Compton. "So, to me, I really don't think it's equitable."
Brown, says it's important for residents to voice their concern to city, and provides details how online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Your kids' ultraprocessed food consumption may put them at higher risk, study shows
The ultraprocessed foods your kids eat now may be putting them at greater risk for cardiometabolic problems – like heart attack, stroke and diabetes – in adulthood, a new study suggests.