Lakehead Conservation's role is to screen out projects that do not need an authorization and assist in referring information about projects that do. For people proposing projects near watercourses, it should mean less running around to get the necessary approvals.

The proponent provides Conservation staff with the property location, site plan and project details. Staff may conduct a site visit to take measurements and to better visualize the project. The information will be used by staff to determine whether the proposed works might result in a 'harmful alteration, disruption or destruction' (HADD) of fish habitat.

Where a HADD may exist, the file will be forwarded to the DFO office. It is DFO's responsibility to decide on the granting of authorizations under the Fisheries Act. This process presently takes four to six weeks. However, an increased DFO staff complement is expected to clear up a backlog and the processing time is expected to take two to three weeks in the near future.

Conservation and DFO staff may be able to recommend alternatives for the project that will remove the HADD and need for an authorization; for example, if the project was moved back of the high water mark.

Another important step is to determine compensation for the HADD. In general, the proponent would be asked to undertake work in another part of his property or the same watercourse that would improve fish habitat to a level at least equal to the disturbance created by the HADD.