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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
Title
Pag
e
i
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(PDFrsumenfranais)
2010,QueensPrinterforOntario
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:QueensPrinterforOntario.248pp.
Cettepublicationhautementspecialise(NaturalHeritageReferenceManualpourlapolitique2.1deladclarationdeprincipesprovinciale[2005]rsumenfranaisdeladeuximedition)nestdisponiblequenanglais
envertuduRglement411/97quienexemptelapplicationdelaLoisurlesservicesenfranais.Rsumenfranaisestdisponiblehttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/289523.pdfMNRNumber52630-1
Editor:SarahWeberDesignandlayout:BrianDenchCoverphotocredits:WasylBakowsky,ScottBishopandRickStankiewicz
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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
ii
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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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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
iii
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
PREV NEXT
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 TheMeaningofSignificant...................................................................................................................................................................................... 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 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
iv
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
PREV NEXT
6.0 SIGNIFICANT WETLANDS AND SIGNIFICANT COASTAL WETLANDS....................................................................................................................... 56
6.1 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
v
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
PREV NEXT
9.0 SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE HABITAT.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 81
9.1 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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 PolicyExplanation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
vi
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
PREV NEXT
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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
vii
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
PREV NEXT
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 ChecklistPlanningforaNaturalHeritageSystem............................................................................................................................................... 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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
viii
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
PREV NEXT
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-SpecificPPSNaturalHeritagePolicyCanadianShieldandEcoregionLine............................................................................46
Figure5-1:ProcessforIdentifyingSignificantHabitatofEndangeredandThreatenedSpecies..........................................................................51
Figure9-1:ProcessforIdentifyingandConfirmingSignificantWildlifeHabitat.......................................................................................................85
Figure11-1:BroadscalePotentialFishHabitatExamples.............................................................................................................................................99
Figure11-2:MeasuringAdjacentLandsLakesandLargeRivers............................................................................................................................104
Figure11-3:MeasuringAdjacentLandsMeanderingStreamwithDefinedBedandBanks.............................................................................104
Figure11-4:MeasuringAdjacentLandsNon-meanderingStreamwithDefinedBedandBanks....................................................................104
Figure13-1:ProcessforandRelationshipbetweenImpactAssessmentComponents........................................................................................120
FigureA-1:ProcessforaCoordinated,IntegratedandComprehensiveApproachforNaturalHeritageSystems..........................................159
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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Tabl
e of
Con
tent
s
ix
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
PREV NEXT
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
Table of Contents(continued from previous page)
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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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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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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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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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
1.0
Intr
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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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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,allofwhicharereferredtoasplanningauthoritiesfromthispointforward.Landowners,developers,conservationauthorities,commissions,environmentalagencies,community-basedorganizations,non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)andthepublicalsoplayimportantrolesinplanningandwillwanttoconsultthemanualwhenseekingtoimplementPPSnaturalheritagepolicies.
Themanualshouldbeconsultedbypeopleinvolvedin: thedevelopmentandreviewofpolicydocuments; thereviewandapprovalofdevelopmentapplications;and mattersbeforeprovincialboardsandtribunalssuchasthe
OntarioMunicipalBoard.
ThesecondeditionoftheNaturalHeritageReferenceManual(themanual)providestechnicalguidanceforimplementingthenaturalheritagepoliciesoftheProvincialPolicyStatement,20051(PPS)(seesection2).ThemanualrepresentstheProvincesrecommendedtechnicalcriteriaandapproachesforbeingconsistentwiththePPSinprotectingnaturalheritagefeaturesandareas2andnaturalheritagesystemsinOntario.
WhilethemanualprovidesinformationandapproachestoassistinimplementingPPSpolicy,itdoesnotaddtoordetractfromthepolicy.AdditionalwaystoachievethedesiredoutcomesrequiredbythePPSmayexist,butifapproachesotherthanthoserecommendedinthismanualareused,theonusisontheproponentofthoseapproachestodemonstratethattheyareconsistentwiththePPS.
ItisimportanttostressthattherecommendationsinthemanualaretriggeredonlywhenthereisarequirementtobeconsistentwiththePPS,asprovidedinSubsection3(5)and3(6)ofthePlanningAct.3FurtherconsiderationmustbegiventothePPSdefinitionsfordevelopmentandsitealteration(seesection2.1).
1 ThePPScameintoeffectonMarch1,2005andappliestoallapplications,mattersorproceedingscommencedonorafterthisdate.Wherethe1997ProvincialPolicyStatementappliestoapplications,mattersorproceedingspriortothePPS,theNaturalHeritageReferenceManual,1999shouldbeconsulted.However,directionandadvicecontainedinthesecondeditionoftheNaturalHeritageReferenceManualcouldbeusefulsinceitisthemostup-to-dateandcomprehensive.
2 ThetermnaturalheritagefeaturesandareashasspecificpolicydirectionanddefinitioninthePPS.Themanualusesvariationsofthisterminothercontextstodenotegeneralconservationbiologyconcepts.
3 AwiderangeoflegislationandregulationsmayapplytodecisionswithrespecttoPlanningActapplications.Insomecases,aPlanningActproposalmayalsorequireapprovalunderotherlegislationorregulation.
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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
PREV NEXT
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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
1.0
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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
PREV NEXT
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,seeMNRswebsiteathttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165805.html.
6 Formoreinformationonconservationauthorities,seeMNRswebsiteathttp://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.Table1-1providesasummaryofthemanualsorganization.
trickoutTABLESasfirsttabletoforceandmakebookmakrslevel2inTOCotpoins-makesbookmarksshowupinafolderintheBOokmarksPDFpanel
Whenusingthemanual,allusersshouldrefertothePPSandotherrelevantprovincialplansandpolicies.ToensureafullunderstandingofPPSnaturalheritagepolicies,planningauthoritiesshouldbecomefamiliarwithandmakeuseoftheentiremanualaspartoflong-rangeplanningandreviewingofdevelopmentapplications.Developersandtheirconsultants,however,maychoosetorefertorelevantindividualsectionsofthemanualforaparticularapplicationortoseekguidanceforaddressingimpacts.
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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
1.0
Intr
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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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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.1A.4
Natural heritage features and areas introduction
z discussesthemeaningandrelevanceofsignificantandadjacentlandsforidentifiedfeatures
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
(continued on next page)
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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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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.1C.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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NATURAL HERITAGE REFERENCE MANUAL for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
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Pro
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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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2.0 PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
Asstatedpreviously,themanualrepresentstheProvincesrecommendedapproachtoimplementingnaturalheritagepoliciesunderpolicy2.1ofthePPS(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,Section3ofthePlanningActrequiresthatdecisionsaffectingplanningmattersshallbeconsistentwithpolicystatementsissuedundertheAct.
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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/index.htmlhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LUEPS/Publication/249081.html
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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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:meansactivities,suchasgrading,excavationandtheplacementoffillthatwouldchangethelandformandnaturalvegetativecharacteristicsofasite.
Forthepurposesofpolicy2.1.3(b),site alterationdoesnotincludeundergroundorsurfaceminingofmineralsoradvancedexplorationonmininglandsinsignificant areas of mineral potentialinEcor