Ministry of Natural Resources N · Second Edition Ministry of Natural Resources. NN ... 78-1-4435-1790-4 9 (Print) • ISBN 78-1-4435-1791-1 PDF) ISBN78-1-4435-1793-59 (PDFrésuméenfrançais)

Natural Heritage Reference Manualfor Natural Heritage Policies of theProvincial Policy Statement, 2005

Second Edition

Ministry of Natural Resources

NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005

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Quick Links TableofContents ii

Abbreviations UsedinThisManual xi

ProvincialPolicy Statement Implementation 6

NaturalHeritage Systems 15

NaturalHeritage FeaturesandAreas 37

SignificantHabitat ofEndangeredand ThreatenedSpecies 47

SignificantWetlands andSignificant CoastalWetlands 56

Significant Woodlands 63

Significant Valleylands 74

Significant WildlifeHabitat 81

SignificantAreas ofNaturaland ScientificInterest 90

FishHabitat 94

HowtoProtect: MunicipalPlanning TechniquesandTools107

AddressingImpacts ofDevelopmentand SiteAlteration 118

ProvincialLandUse PlanningDocuments134

NaturalHeritage SystemPlanning 145

NaturalHeritage InformationSources 166

Glossary 216

WorksCited 219

OntarioMinistryof NaturalResourceswebsite

MunicipalPlanning inOntariowebpages

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Natural Heritage Reference Manualfor Natural Heritage Policies of theProvincial Policy Statement, 2005

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Second EditionMarch18,2010

MNRNumber52630(English)2kP.R.,100326

ISBN978-1-4435-1790-4(Print)•ISBN978-1-4435-1791-1(PDF)ISBN978-1-4435-1793-5(PDFrésuméenfrançais)

©2010,Queen’sPrinterforOntario

Thispublicationisavailableat:http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/289522.pdf

Homepageforthismanual(informationandupdates):LandUse&EnvironmentalPlanning>Publication>NaturalHeritageReferenceManualfortheProvincialPolicyStatement

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/Publication/249081.html

Howtocitethismanual:

OntarioMinistryofNaturalResources.March2010.NaturalHeritageReferenceManualforNaturalHeritagePoliciesoftheProvincialPolicyStatement,2005.SecondEdition.Toronto:Queen’sPrinterforOntario.248pp.

Cettepublicationhautementspecialisée(NaturalHeritageReferenceManualpourlapolitique2.1deladéclarationdeprincipesprovinciale[2005]résuméenfrançaisdeladeuxièmeédition)n’estdisponiblequ’enanglais

envertuduRèglement411/97quienexemptel’applicationdelaLoisurlesservicesenfrançais.Résuméenfrançaisestdisponibleàhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/289523.pdf•MNRNumber52630-1

Editor:SarahWeber•Designandlayout:BrianDench•Coverphotocredits:WasylBakowsky,ScottBishopandRickStankiewicz

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................x

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS MANUAL.......................................................................................................................................................................................xi

1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1

1.1 PurposeandScope..........................................................................................................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 IntendedAudiencefortheManual............................................................................................................................................................1

1.1.2 RegionalVariationsinPlanningIssuesandPlanningResources............................................................................................................2

1.1.3 ImplicationsforResourceManagementofNaturalHeritageFeaturesandAreas.............................................................................2

1.2 ManualImplementation..................................................................................................................................................................................................2

1.2.1 TheNeedforEarlyConsultation................................................................................................................................................................3

1.3 HowtoUsetheManual...................................................................................................................................................................................................3

1.3.1 ManualOrganization.....................................................................................................................................................................................3

2.0 PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT IMPLEMENTATION......................................................................................................................................................6

2.1 NaturalHeritagePolicies.................................................................................................................................................................................................6

2.2 ProtectionofNaturalFeaturesandAreasfortheLongTerm....................................................................................................................................8

2.3 ApplyingOtherPPSPolicies...........................................................................................................................................................................................8

2.3.1 Water...............................................................................................................................................................................................................9

2.3.2 AgriculturalUses............................................................................................................................................................................................9

2.3.3 MineralAggregateResources.................................................................................................................................................................. 11

2.4 GoingBeyondthePPS................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

2.5 OfficialPlans................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

2.6 ProvincialPlans............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

3.0 NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 15

3.1 GeneralConceptsofNaturalHeritageSystems...................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.2 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.2.1 Coordinated,IntegratedandComprehensiveApproaches................................................................................................................ 17

3.3 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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3.4 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

3.4.1 LandscapeContextGeneralCharacteristics.......................................................................................................................................... 21

3.4.2 NaturalHeritageSystemComponents................................................................................................................................................... 22

3.4.3 ConsideringEcologicalFunctionsandPromotingEcologicalIntegrity............................................................................................ 27

3.4.4 BuildingonExistingNaturalHeritageSystemWork............................................................................................................................ 33

3.4.5 NaturalHeritageSystemsinAgriculturalAreas..................................................................................................................................... 34

3.4.6 NaturalHeritageSystemsinSettlementAreas...................................................................................................................................... 34

4.0 NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES AND AREAS................................................................................................................................................................... 37

4.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37

4.2 TheMeaningof“Significant”...................................................................................................................................................................................... 38

4.2.1 IdentificationandEvaluationofSignificantFeaturesandAreas......................................................................................................... 39

4.3 TheImportanceofRegionalandLocalNaturalHeritageFeatures....................................................................................................................... 40

4.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 41

4.4.1 ProvincialRecommendationsfortheExtentofAdjacentLands........................................................................................................ 41

4.4.2 DevelopingMunicipalApproachesforDeterminingtheExtentofAdjacentLands...................................................................... 43

4.5 RelationshipbetweenAdjacentLandsandBuffers................................................................................................................................................. 44

4.6 Area-SpecificPolicy...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 45

4.6.1 CanadianShieldLine................................................................................................................................................................................. 45

4.6.2 EcoregionLine............................................................................................................................................................................................ 46

5.0 SIGNIFICANT HABITAT OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES................................................................................................................. 47


5.1.1 RelationshiptotheEndangeredSpeciesAct,2007............................................................................................................................... 48

5.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 49

5.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49

5.3.1 ProcessforDelineatingSignificantHabitatWhenDetailedInformationIsUnavailable................................................................. 50

5.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 55

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6.0 SIGNIFICANT WETLANDS AND SIGNIFICANT COASTAL WETLANDS....................................................................................................................... 56


6.1.1 PeatExtraction............................................................................................................................................................................................ 57

6.1.2 RelationshiptoPPSWaterPolicies.......................................................................................................................................................... 58

6.1.3 RelationshiptotheConservationAuthoritiesAct................................................................................................................................. 58

6.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58

6.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60

6.3.1 SignificantWetlands................................................................................................................................................................................... 60

6.3.2 SignificantCoastalWetlands.................................................................................................................................................................... 61

6.3.3 WetlandComplexes.................................................................................................................................................................................. 61

6.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 61

7.0 SIGNIFICANT WOODLANDS................................................................................................................................................................................................... 63


7.1.1 RelationshiptotheForestryActandForestConservationBy-Laws................................................................................................... 64

7.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 64

7.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66

7.3.1 RecommendedEvaluationCriteriaforDeterminingSignificantWoodlands................................................................................... 67

7.3.2 DelineationofWoodlandPatches........................................................................................................................................................... 72

7.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 73

8.0 SIGNIFICANT VALLEYLANDS.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 74


8.1.1 RelationshiptotheConservationAuthoritiesAct................................................................................................................................. 75

8.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 75

8.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 76

8.3.1 RecommendedEvaluationCriteriaforDeterminingSignificantValleylands.................................................................................... 76

8.3.2 CulturalHeritageResources..................................................................................................................................................................... 80

8.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 80





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9.0 SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE HABITAT.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 81


9.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 82

9.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 82

9.3.1 SignificantWildlifeHabitatTechnicalGuide.......................................................................................................................................... 83

9.3.2 ProcessforIdentifyingandConfirmingSignificantWildlifeHabitat.................................................................................................. 84

9.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 89

10.0 SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF NATURAL AND SCIENTIFIC INTEREST................................................................................................................................. 90

10.1 PolicyExplanation..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................90

10.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 91

10.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 91

10.3.1 LifeScienceandEarthScienceFrameworks.......................................................................................................................................... 91

10.4 AdjacentLands.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 93

11.0 FISH HABITAT............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 94


11.1.1 RelationshiptotheFisheriesAct.............................................................................................................................................................. 95

11.2 WhyProtect?.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 95

11.3 Identification................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 96

11.3.1 BroadscaleFishHabitatFeaturesandCharacteristics......................................................................................................................... 97

11.3.2 DetailedFishHabitatFeaturesandCharacteristics............................................................................................................................ 100

11.3.3 FishHabitatClassification....................................................................................................................................................................... 102

11.3.4 FishSpeciesatRisk................................................................................................................................................................................... 102

11.4 AdjacentLands............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 103

11.4.1 RiparianAreas........................................................................................................................................................................................... 105





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12.0 HOW TO PROTECT: MUNICIPAL PLANNING TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS.............................................................................................................. 107

12.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 107

12.2 EarlyConsultation........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 107

12.3 OfficialPlans................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 108

12.3.1 GoalsandObjectives............................................................................................................................................................................... 108

12.3.2 IdentificationandProtection.................................................................................................................................................................. 108

12.3.3 AssessingLandUseChanges................................................................................................................................................................. 111

12.3.4 ImplementationConsiderationsforNaturalHeritageSystems........................................................................................................ 111

12.4 ZoningBy-Laws............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 113

12.4.1 NaturalHeritageSystemsZoning.......................................................................................................................................................... 113

12.4.2 NaturalHeritageFeaturesandAreasZoning...................................................................................................................................... 114

12.4.3 ZoneStandards......................................................................................................................................................................................... 115

12.5 SiteDevelopmentControls....................................................................................................................................................................................... 116

12.5.1 SitePlanControl....................................................................................................................................................................................... 116

12.5.2 DevelopmentPermitSystem.................................................................................................................................................................. 116

12.6 SubdivisionofLand..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 116

12.7 TreeConservation,SiteAlterationandOtherMunicipalBy-Laws....................................................................................................................... 117

12.8 ConservationApproachesBeyondLandUsePlanning........................................................................................................................................ 117

13.0 ADDRESSING IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND SITE ALTERATION..................................................................................................................... 118

13.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 118

13.2 DeterminingNegativeImpacts................................................................................................................................................................................. 119

13.3 DeterminingWhetherAssessmentIsRequired..................................................................................................................................................... 119

13.4 DetermininganAppropriateLevelofAssessment............................................................................................................................................... 121

13.5 ImpactAssessmentProcess....................................................................................................................................................................................... 122

13.5.1 EarlyConsultation.................................................................................................................................................................................... 122

13.5.2 ContentsofanEnvironmentalImpactStudy....................................................................................................................................... 123

13.5.3 IdentifyingMonitoringNeeds................................................................................................................................................................ 128

13.5.4 ApproachestoMitigation....................................................................................................................................................................... 129

13.5.5 ReviewofAssessment.............................................................................................................................................................................. 132

13.5.6 PlanningAuthorityDecision.................................................................................................................................................................... 132





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14.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 133

15.0 PROVINCIAL LAND USE PLANNING DOCUMENTS....................................................................................................................................................... 134

16.0 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: ADJACENT LANDS AND BUFFERS RESEARCH.................................................................................................... 136

APPENDIX A: NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM PLANNING...................................................................................................................................................... 145

A.1 NaturalHeritageSystemsPlanningEvolution........................................................................................................................................................ 145

A.2 ConsideringEcologicalImportanceandPromotingEcologicalIntegrity.......................................................................................................... 145

A.2.1 Representation/Distribution.................................................................................................................................................................... 145

A.2.2 PatchAttributes........................................................................................................................................................................................ 146

A.2.3 Linkage/CorridorAttributes.................................................................................................................................................................... 148

A.3 Checklist–PlanningforaNaturalHeritageSystem............................................................................................................................................... 153

A.4 ComprehensiveApproachtoPlanningforaNaturalHeritageSystem.............................................................................................................. 158

A.4.1 PrincipleofCollaboration........................................................................................................................................................................ 158

A.4.2 NaturalHeritageSystemProcessSteps................................................................................................................................................ 158

APPENDIX B: NATURAL HERITAGE INFORMATION SOURCES........................................................................................................................................... 166

B.1 NaturalHeritageInformationSourcesOverview.................................................................................................................................................... 166

B.1.1 InformationSourcesSummarybyPPSNaturalHeritagePolicyArea............................................................................................... 169

B.1.2 InformationSourceDescriptionsandDirectionsonUse................................................................................................................... 171

APPENDIX C: ADDRESSING IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT ON NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES........................................................................... 188

C.1 PotentialDevelopmentImpactsandMitigation.................................................................................................................................................... 188

C.1.1 ExamplesofPotentialDevelopmentImpactsandMitigation.......................................................................................................... 188

C.1.2 ApplyingBuffers....................................................................................................................................................................................... 204

C.2 Site-SpecificAssessmentPlanningTools................................................................................................................................................................. 207

C.2.1 DescribingtheEnvironmentforSite-SpecificAssessment................................................................................................................ 207

C.2.2 SampleChecklistforUseinAssessingImpactsofDevelopment..................................................................................................... 214

APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY OF TERMS.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 216

WORKS CITED .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 219

ADDITIONAL READING ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 227





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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure2-1:ProvincialPlans.................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Figure3-1:ExampleofanIsolatedNaturalFeaturewithLowerEcologicalFunctioning........................................................................................18

Figure3-2:NaturalAreasSupportingCoreandLinkageFunctions...........................................................................................................................26

Figure3-3:ConsideringNaturalHeritageSystemEcologicalFunctioningandIntegrity........................................................................................30

A.ExampleLandscapeforConsideringEcologicalFunctioningandIntegrity...............................................................................................30

B.IdentifyingInteriorHabitatforConsideringEcologicalFunctioningandIntegrity....................................................................................31

C.PreferredPatchAttributesforConsideringEcologicalFunctioningandIntegrity.....................................................................................32

D.LessPreferredPatchAttributesforConsideringEcologicalFunctioningandIntegrity............................................................................33

Figure4-1:ExampleofTailoringanAdjacentLandsStudy..........................................................................................................................................44

Figure4-2:IllustrationoftheRelationshipbetweenAdjacentLandsandBuffers....................................................................................................45

Figure4-3:Area-SpecificPPSNaturalHeritagePolicy–CanadianShieldandEcoregionLine............................................................................46

Figure5-1:ProcessforIdentifyingSignificantHabitatofEndangeredandThreatenedSpecies..........................................................................51

Figure9-1:ProcessforIdentifyingandConfirmingSignificantWildlifeHabitat.......................................................................................................85

Figure11-1:BroadscalePotentialFishHabitatExamples.............................................................................................................................................99

Figure11-2:MeasuringAdjacentLands–LakesandLargeRivers............................................................................................................................104

Figure11-3:MeasuringAdjacentLands–MeanderingStreamwithDefinedBedandBanks.............................................................................104

Figure11-4:MeasuringAdjacentLands–Non-meanderingStreamwithDefinedBedandBanks....................................................................104

Figure13-1:ProcessforandRelationshipbetweenImpactAssessmentComponents........................................................................................120

FigureA-1:ProcessforaCoordinated,IntegratedandComprehensiveApproachforNaturalHeritageSystems..........................................159





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LIST OF TABLES

Table1-1:ManualTopicDescriptionswithSectionandAppendixLocation...............................................................................................................4

Table3-1:PlanningConcernsandPotentialBenefitsofNaturalHeritageSystems.................................................................................................19

Table3-2:NaturalHeritageSystemCoreAreaAttributes............................................................................................................................................23

Table3-3:NaturalHeritageSystemLinkageAttributes.................................................................................................................................................25

Table3-4:EcologicalFunctionMeasuresofNaturalFeaturesandAreasforaNaturalHeritageSystem............................................................28

Table4-1:WhereAuthorityRestsforEstablishingtheSignificanceofFeaturesforthePPS...................................................................................39

Table4-2:ProvincialRecommendationsforAdjacentLandsWidthsforPPSPolicy2.1.6.......................................................................................42

Table7-1:PPS-IdentifiedWoodlandBenefitsandDescription....................................................................................................................................65

Table7-2:RecommendedSignificantWoodlandEvaluationCriteriaandStandards............................................................................................68

Table8-1:RecommendedSignificantValleylandsEvaluationCriteriaandStandards.............................................................................................77

Table11-1:RecommendationsforHowtoMeasureAdjacentLandsWidthforFishHabitat...............................................................................103

Table11-2:FishHabitatConcernsRelevanttoAdjacentLands................................................................................................................................105

Table11-3:RecommendedMinimumNaturalVegetatedCoverAdjacenttoFishHabitat..................................................................................106

Table12-1:OfficialPlanApproachesforProtectingNaturalHeritageSystems,FeaturesandAreas.................................................................108

Table13-1:FunctionandBenefitsofBuffers.................................................................................................................................................................130

TableB-1:ApplyingInformationSourcestoSupportPPSNaturalHeritagePolicyAreas.....................................................................................166

TableB-2:SummaryofPPSNaturalHeritageInformationSources...........................................................................................................................169

TableB-3:ProvincialGovernmentOffices/ProgramInformationSources................................................................................................................171

TableB-4:ConservationOrganizationInformationSources......................................................................................................................................175

TableB-5:Manuals/GuidelinesInformationSources..................................................................................................................................................177

TableB-6:InternetInformationSources........................................................................................................................................................................179

TableB-7:DataLayerInformationSources...................................................................................................................................................................180

TableC-1:SummaryofPotentialDevelopmentActivityImpactsandMitigation...................................................................................................188

TableC-2:PPSNaturalHeritageFeaturesandBufferDescriptions..........................................................................................................................204

TableC-3:TerrestrialSpeciesInventoryComponents.................................................................................................................................................212




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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ThisdocumentwaspreparedbytheOntariogovernment,ledbytheMinistryofNaturalResourcesundertheguidanceoftheNaturalHeritageReferenceManualReviewTeam,whichconsistedofrepresentativesfromawiderangeofstakeholdergroups.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesgreatlyappreciatesthecontributionsoftheseindividualsandtheorganizationstheyrepresent.NumerousotherindividualsandorganizationsalsocontributedtothedocumentthroughtheEnvironmentalRegistry.Inaddition,theministryisgratefulforthecontributionsprovidedbyNorth-SouthEnvironmentalInc.,whichprovidedearlydraftsoftherevisedmanualandcontributedassistanceandadvicethroughouttheproject.Theideas,approachesandinformationcontainedinthisdocument,however,arethesoleresponsibilityoftheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandinnowaybindorlimittheabilityofindividualsororganizationstoexpressopinionsorapproachesthatdifferfromthosefoundinthisdocument.

Thefollowingministries,municipalities,conservationauthoritiesandstakeholdergroupswereconsultedduringitspreparationand/orrevieweddraftsofthemanual.

Ontario Ministries

MinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairsMinistryofCultureMinistryofEnergyandInfrastructure(formerlyMinistryofEnergyandMinistryof

PublicInfrastructureRenewal)MinistryoftheEnvironmentMinistryofHealthPromotionMinistryofMunicipalAffairsandHousingMinistryofNorthernDevelopmentandMinesMinistryofTourismMinistryofTransportation

Municipalities

AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntarioCityofGreaterSudburyCityofLondonCityofTimminsCityofVaughanRegionofHaltonRegionofPeelSimcoeCountyTownofGeorginaTownofMarkhamYorkRegion

Conservation Authorities

CreditValleyConservationGrandRiverConservationAuthorityHaltonRegionConservationAuthorityLakeheadRegionConservationAuthorityTorontoRegionConservationAuthority

Non-governmental Organizations

BuildingIndustryandLandDevelopmentAssociationOntarioFederationofAgricultureOntarioNatureOntarioProfessionalPlannersInstituteOntarioStone,Sand&GravelAssociationUniversityofWaterloo



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ANSI areaofnaturalandscientificinterest

ARA AquaticResourceArea

DFO FisheriesandOceansCanada

EIS environmentalimpactstudy

ELC EcologicalLandClassification

ESA EndangeredSpeciesAct,2007

FEC ForestEcosystemClassification

FQI FloristicQualityIndex

FRI ForestResourcesInventory

GIS geographicinformationsystem

GGHGrowthPlan GrowthPlanfortheGreaterGoldenHorseshoe

HADD harmfulalteration,disruptionordestructionoffishhabitat

LIO LandInformationOntario

MMAH OntarioMinistryofMunicipalAffairs andHousing

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS MANUALABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS MANUAL

MOE OntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment

MNDM OntarioMinistryofNorthernDevelopmentandMines

MNR OntarioMinistryofNaturalResources

NGO non-governmentalorganization

NHIC NaturalHeritageInformationCentre

OBM OntarioBaseMap

OMAFRA OntarioMinistryofAgriculture, FoodandRuralAffairs

ORMCP OakRidgesMoraineConservationPlan

OWES OntarioWetlandEvaluationSystem

PPS ProvincialPolicyStatement,2005

PSW provinciallysignificantwetland

SAROList SpeciesatRiskinOntarioList

SOLRIS SouthernOntarioLandResourceInformationSystem



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1.1 Purpose and Scope

1.0 INTRODUCTION

ThePPSshallbereadinitsentiretyandallrelevantpoliciesaretobeappliedtoeachsituation.

Thismanualdoesnotcontainalltheinformationneededtoundertakethedetailedtechnicalstudiesthatmayberequiredfornaturalheritageplanning.Itdoes,however,indicatesourcesforadditionaltechnicalinformationandexpertisethatmaybeobtainedforprojectpre-consultationorfortheinformationcollectioncomponentoftechnicalstudies.Inaddition,themanualprovidesexamplesofapproachesthatplanningauthoritieshaveusedindealingwithnaturalheritageplanningmatters.

Themanualhasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithpractitionersandprovidesthemostup-to-dateinformationavailableatthedateofpublicationonspecifictechnicalissuesrelatingtothenaturalheritagepoliciesofthePPS.Tokeepthemanualcurrent,itmaybefurtherupdatedasscienceinformationandtechnologyortechniquesimprove.

1.1.1 Intended Audience for the ManualThemanualisareferencetoolformunicipalities,planningboardsandotherapprovalauthorities,allofwhicharereferredtoas“planningauthorities”fromthispointforward.Landowners,developers,conservationauthorities,commissions,environmentalagencies,community-basedorganizations,non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)andthepublicalsoplayimportantrolesinplanningandwillwanttoconsultthemanualwhenseekingtoimplementPPSnaturalheritagepolicies.

Themanualshouldbeconsultedbypeopleinvolvedin:■ thedevelopmentandreviewofpolicydocuments;■ thereviewandapprovalofdevelopmentapplications;and■ mattersbeforeprovincialboardsandtribunalssuchasthe

OntarioMunicipalBoard.

ThesecondeditionoftheNaturalHeritageReferenceManual(themanual)providestechnicalguidanceforimplementingthenaturalheritagepoliciesoftheProvincialPolicyStatement,20051(PPS)(seesection2).ThemanualrepresentstheProvince’srecommendedtechnicalcriteriaandapproachesforbeingconsistentwiththePPSinprotectingnaturalheritagefeaturesandareas2andnaturalheritagesystemsinOntario.

WhilethemanualprovidesinformationandapproachestoassistinimplementingPPSpolicy,itdoesnotaddtoordetractfromthepolicy.AdditionalwaystoachievethedesiredoutcomesrequiredbythePPSmayexist,butifapproachesotherthanthoserecommendedinthismanualareused,theonusisontheproponentofthoseapproachestodemonstratethattheyareconsistentwiththePPS.

ItisimportanttostressthattherecommendationsinthemanualaretriggeredonlywhenthereisarequirementtobeconsistentwiththePPS,asprovidedinSubsection3(5)and3(6)ofthePlanningAct.3FurtherconsiderationmustbegiventothePPSdefinitionsfor“development”and“sitealteration”(seesection2.1).

1 ThePPScameintoeffectonMarch1,2005andappliestoallapplications,mattersorproceedingscommencedonorafterthisdate.Wherethe1997ProvincialPolicyStatementappliestoapplications,mattersorproceedingspriortothePPS,theNaturalHeritageReferenceManual,1999shouldbeconsulted.However,directionandadvicecontainedinthesecondeditionoftheNaturalHeritageReferenceManualcouldbeusefulsinceitisthemostup-to-dateandcomprehensive.

2 Theterm“naturalheritagefeaturesandareas”hasspecificpolicydirectionanddefinitioninthePPS.Themanualusesvariationsofthisterminothercontextstodenotegeneralconservationbiologyconcepts.

3 AwiderangeoflegislationandregulationsmayapplytodecisionswithrespecttoPlanningActapplications.Insomecases,aPlanningActproposalmayalsorequireapprovalunderotherlegislationorregulation.



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ThemanualisdesignedforusebypeoplewhohaveabasicunderstandingoftherequirementsandprocessesofthePlanningActandthepoliciesofthePPS.4Inaddition,itisassumedthatsomeifnotallusersofthemanualwillhaveanunderstandingofecologyorarelateddiscipline.Itisnotthepurposeofthismanualtoprovideabasiceducationinecologyorconservationbiology,ortoprovidethetechnicalexpertiseforundertakingalltheanalysesrequiredtosatisfythePPS.

Naturalheritageplanningandplanningforotherprovincialinterestscanbeacommunity-basedactivityinvolvingresidents,landowners,NGOs,communitygroups(e.g.,naturalistclubs)andlocalenvironmentalagencies(e.g.,conservationauthorities).Thesegroups,aswellastheProvince(e.g.,MinistryofNaturalResources[MNR]districtoffices,MinistryofMunicipalAffairsandHousing[MMAH]municipalservicesoffices,andotherministries),canallworkcooperativelywiththeplanningauthorityanditsexpertadvisorsonnaturalheritagetoidentifyandprotectnaturalheritagesystems,featuresandareas.

4 Themanualmayalsobeusefulinconsideringapplicationsthatmustfulfillotherapprovalprocesses(e.g.,classenvironmentalassessments).

1.1.2 Regional Variations in Planning Issues and Planning Resources

Itisrecognizedthatplanningauthoritiesfacevariousplanningconditionsacrosstheprovince.Examplesofthesevariationsinclude:

■ totalpopulation;■ populationgrowthrate;and■ amountoflandscapecoveredbywoodlands,wetlandsand

othernaturalfeatures.Italsoisrecognizedthatsomeplanningauthoritiesmayhavelimitedplanningresources.Nevertheless,themanualisintendedtoprovideguidancethatisadaptabletoallcommunitiesinOntarioregardlessoflocation.PlanningauthoritiesmayadoptotherapproachesrelevanttothelocalsituationprovidedthattheycanbedemonstratedtoachieveorexceedthesameobjectivesasthoseinthePPS.

1.1.3 Implications for Resource Management of Natural Heritage Features and Areas

Themanualisnotintendedtoapplydirectlytoresourcemanagementofnaturalheritagefeaturesorareas,sincesuchactivitiesdonotnormallyrequirePlanningActapprovalsandareoftenrelatedtomaintenanceorimprovementofnaturalheritagefeaturesorareas.ThemanualdoesnotprecludetheactivemanagementofnaturalheritagefeaturesandareasoranyotherconservationinitiativesthatareconsistentwiththeintentofthenaturalheritagepoliciesofthePPS.

1.2 Manual Implementation

Wheretheserecommendationsrepresentchangestocriteria(e.g.,adjacentlandswidths)fromthe1999NaturalHeritageReferenceManualandwouldrequireupdatinganofficialplanorzoningby-lawforimplementation,planningauthoritiesmaymakethattransitionaspartoftheirnextreviewoftheplanningdocument(seesection2.5).Despiteanydifferencesbetweenthemanualversions,planningauthoritiesstillmustmakedecisionsonplanningmattersthatareconsistentwiththePPSaspersection3(5)ofthePlanningAct.

Withinthemanual,theProvincehasprovidedupdatedrecommendationsandguidanceforthePPSnaturalheritagepolicies(basedonnewpolicydirectioninthePPSandlatestscientificinformation).TherecommendedtechnicalcriteriaandapproachesshouldbeconsideredforlanduseplanningandthereviewofdevelopmentapplicationsunderthePlanningAct.



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1.2.1 The Need for Early Consultation Earlyconsultation,asdiscussedinsection12.2,willfacilitatetheimplementationofmeasuresandrecommendationscontainedinthemanual.Insomesituations,forexample,wheretherearesignificanthabitatsforspeciesthathavedifferenthabitatneeds,planningauthoritiesshouldconsiderestablishingaprocesstobringtogetherappropriatetechnicalexpertssothatapreferredapproachcanbedeveloped.

EarlyconsultationbyplanningauthoritiesishighlyrecommendedtoaccesspolicyadvicethroughtheprovincialOneWindowPlanningServiceledbyMMAHaswellasinformationandtechnicaladvicedirectlyfromMNR.WhereMNRinformationandtechnicaladviceareneeded,forexampletosupportmunicipalplanreview,planningauthoritiesshouldconsultwiththeirlocalMNRdistrictoffice(seeappendixB).

Earlyconsultationwithplanningauthoritiesonthepartofproponentscanassistinidentifyinganyagenciesororganizationswithregulatoryrequirementsthataffecttheprotectionofnaturalheritagefeaturesandareas.TheNiagaraEscarpmentCommission5andconservationauthorities6areexamplesofsuchagenciesandorganizations.Planningauthoritiesanddevelopmentproponentsshouldcontactrelevantagenciesandorganizationstodetermineanyapprovalorpermitrequirementsundertheirrespectivelegislation.

Aspartofthedevelopmentofearlyconsultationandpublicinvolvementstrategies,itisdesirabletoconsiderstrategiesforeffectiveinvolvementofAboriginalcommunities(ifapplicable).Furthermore,OntarioiscommittedtomeetinganyconstitutionalandlegalobligationsthatithaswithrespecttoexistingAboriginalandtreatyrights.

5 FormoreinformationontheNiagaraEscarpmentCommission,seeMNR’swebsiteathttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.html.

6 Formoreinformationonconservationauthorities,seeMNR’swebsiteathttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_163413.html.

1.3 How to Use the Manual

1.3.1 Manual OrganizationAlthoughtheentiremanualshouldbeconsultedforcompletecomprehension,individualsectionshavebeendesignedasstand-alonepiecestoassistuserswhenonlyneedingtoreferencespecificnaturalheritagepoliciesortopics.Tosupportthis,themanualisorganizedbyspecificnaturalheritagepoliciesortopics,withthebasicguidancematerialinthemainsectionsandmoretechnicalmaterialintheappendices.Table1-1providesasummaryofthemanual’sorganization.

trickout“TABLES“asfirsttabletoforceandmakebookmakrslevel2inTOCotpoins-makesbookmarksshowupinafolderintheBOokmarksPDFpanel

Whenusingthemanual,allusersshouldrefertothePPSandotherrelevantprovincialplansandpolicies.ToensureafullunderstandingofPPSnaturalheritagepolicies,planningauthoritiesshouldbecomefamiliarwithandmakeuseoftheentiremanualaspartoflong-rangeplanningandreviewingofdevelopmentapplications.Developersandtheirconsultants,however,maychoosetorefertorelevantindividualsectionsofthemanualforaparticularapplicationortoseekguidanceforaddressingimpacts.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/index.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/index.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165804.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165804.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/index.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/Publication/249081.html


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TOPIC DESCRIPTION SECTION APPENDICES

Introduction z presentsthepurposeandscopeofthemanual 1 N/A

PPS implementation z detailsnaturalheritagePPSpoliciesz providesdirectiononapplyingotherPPSpoliciesand

goingbeyondthePPSz discussestherelationshipofthePPSandofficialplans

andprovincialplans

2 N/A

Natural heritage systems z presentsarecommendednaturalheritagesystemsapproachforplanningauthoritiestouseforprotectingnaturalfeaturesandimplementingthePPSasperpolicy2.1.2

3,12.3.412.4.1

A.1–A.4

Natural heritage features and areas introduction

z discussesthemeaningandrelevanceof“significant”and“adjacentlands”foridentifiedfeatures

z providesdirectionontherelationshipbetweenadjacentlandsandbuffers

4 N/A

Significant habitat of endangered and threatened

species

z describeseachofthenaturalheritagefeaturesandareasidentifiedinPPSpolicies2.1.3,2.1.4and2.1.5

z explainspolicyz givesreasonsforprotectionz describesidentificationandevaluationproceduresz discussesadjacentlandswidths

5 N/A

Significant wetlands and significant coastal wetlands

6 N/A

Significant woodlands 7 N/A

Significant valleylands 8 N/A

Significant wildlife habitat 9 N/A

Significant areas of natural and scientific interest

10 N/A

Fish habitat 11 N/A

Table 1-1: Manual Topic Descriptions with Section and Appendix Location




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TOPIC DESCRIPTION SECTION APPENDICES

How to protect z discussesmunicipalplanningtechniquesandothertools (e.g.,zoningby-laws,conservationeasements)thatplanningauthoritiesshouldconsiderwhenestablishingprotectionapproachesfornaturalheritagesystemsandnaturalheritagefeaturesandareas

12 N/A

Addressing impacts of development and site

alteration

z providesguidanceforassessingpotentialimpactsofdevelopmentandsitealterationonnaturalheritagefeatures,areasandadjacentlands

z providesguidanceoncarryingoutanenvironmentalimpactstudy(EIS)process

13 C.1–C.2

Performance indicators z providesgeneralinformationonperformanceindicators 14 N/A

Provincial land use planning documents

z provideslistofsupportingprovinciallanduseplanningdocuments

15 N/A

Annotated bibliography z providessummariesofpublishedliteraturerelatingtoecologicalfunctionsofadjacentlandsandtheassociatedrecommendationsinthemanual

16 N/A

Information sources for identification and evaluation

of natural heritage

z provideslistanddirectiononuseofprovincialinformationsourcesforidentifyingandevaluatingPPSnaturalheritagepolicyareas

N/A B.1

Works cited z listssupportingscientificsources endofmanual

N/A

Additional reading z listssourcesforadditionalreading endofmanual

N/A

Table 1-1(continued from previous page)



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2.0 PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Asstatedpreviously,themanualrepresentstheProvince’srecommendedapproachtoimplementingnaturalheritagepoliciesunderpolicy2.1ofthePPS(seebelowforspecificpoliciesandsupportingdefinitions7)andthenaturalheritageaspectsofotherPPS

7 Ecoregions5E,6E,7EandareassouthandeastoftheCanadianShieldareshowninfigure4-3.

2.1 NATURAL HERITAGE

2.1.1 Naturalfeaturesandareasshallbeprotectedforthelongterm.

2.1.2 Thediversityandconnectivityofnaturalfeaturesinanarea,andthelong-termecological functionandbiodiversityofnatural heritage systems,shouldbemaintained,restoredor,wherepossible,improved,recognizinglinkagesbetweenandamongnatural heritage features and areas,surface water featuresandground water features.

2.1.3 Developmentandsite alterationshallnotbepermittedin:

a) significanthabitatofendangered speciesandthreatened species; b) significant wetlandsinEcoregions5E,6Eand7E;and c) significant coastal wetlands.

2.1.4 Developmentandsite alterationshallnotbepermittedin:

a) significant wetlandsintheCanadianShieldnorthofEcoregions5E,6E,and7E; b) significant woodlandssouthandeastoftheCanadianShield; c) significant valleylandssouthandeastoftheCanadianShield; d) significant wildlife habitat;and e) significant areas of natural and scientific interest

unlessithasbeendemonstratedthattherewillbenonegative impactsonthenaturalfeaturesortheirecological functions.

2.1.5 Developmentandsite alterationshallnotbepermittedinfish habitatexceptinaccordancewithprovincial and federal requirements.

2.1 Natural Heritage Policies

policies(e.g.,policies1.2.1and2.2).TobeconsistentwiththePPS,planningauthoritiesorapplicantsneedtofollowtherecommendedapproachesinthemanualor,ifusingotherapproaches,demonstratehowtheyareconsistentwiththePPS.

ThePPSprovidespolicydirectiononmattersofprovincialinterestrelatedtolanduseplanningunderthePlanningAct.ThePPSstates,“Inrespectoftheexerciseofanyauthoritythataffectsaplanningmatter,Section3ofthePlanningActrequiresthatdecisionsaffectingplanningmatters‘shallbeconsistentwith’policystatementsissuedundertheAct.”




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2.1.6 Developmentandsite alterationshallnotbepermittedonadjacent landstothenatural heritage features and areasidentifiedin

policies2.1.3,2.1.4,and2.1.5unlesstheecological functionoftheadjacent landshasbeenevaluatedandithasbeendemonstratedthattherewillbenonegative impactsonthenaturalfeaturesorontheirecological functions.

2.1.7 Nothinginpolicy2.1isintendedtolimittheabilityofexistingagriculturalusestocontinue.

Provincial Policy Statement 2005, policy 2.1 Italics indicate terms further defined in the PPS

Development:meansthecreationofanewlot,achangeinlanduse,ortheconstructionofbuildingsandstructures,requiringapprovalunderthePlanningAct,butdoesnotinclude:

a) activitiesthatcreateormaintaininfrastructureauthorizedunderanenvironmentalassessmentprocess;

b) workssubjecttotheDrainageAct;or

c) forthepurposesofpolicy2.1.3(b),undergroundorsurfaceminingofmineralsoradvancedexplorationonmininglandsinsignificant areas of mineral potentialinEcoregion5E,whereadvancedexplorationhasthesamemeaningasundertheMiningAct.Instead,thosemattersshallbesubjecttopolicy2.1.4(a).

Site alteration:meansactivit