Natural Heritage
Natural heritage and hydrologic features include things like woodlands, wetlands, watercourses and valleylands. While there is a distinction made in planning between more land-based features (natural heritage, typically referred to as Key Natural Heritage Features- KNHF) and water-based (hydrologic, generally referred to as Key Hydrologic Features – KHF), they are grouped together under the umbrella term of natural heritage.
Recognizing that these features function best, and in many cases require connections to other features, natural heritage planning in southern Ontario revolves around the concept of natural heritage systems (NHS). The overall system helps to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecological functions (such as movement corridors for wildlife), and sustain ecosystem services such as pollination, clean water, flood reduction, and carbon sequestration.
Across the watershed, the protection of natural heritage systems is identified in acts, policies and plans at the federal, provincial and municipal level recognizing the need to protect these systems in order to mitigate the pressures of climate change, urban expansion and to accommodate and manage future sustainable growth. Overarching policy is contained at the provincial level in the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) which includes natural heritage policies, water resource management policies and natural hazard policies that all support natural heritage protection. Building on the PPS, a number of provincial plans govern land use in our watershed and provide more specific area-based protection.
These plans are the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Greenbelt Plan and the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. They restrict development within additional features such as non-PSW wetlands, streams, lakes, and rare vegetation communities such as prairies. Municipal official plans must conform or not conflict with these provincial plans.
Natural heritage policies contained within these plans define permitted land uses and specify when a Natural Heritage Evaluation (NHE) or Environmental Impact Study (EIS) (synonymous) is required when development is proposed in proximity to a natural heritage feature (typically if within 120m). The criteria for defining natural heritage features and determining their significance are also set by these plans, and in some cases a minimum vegetation protection zone (VPZ) between development and the feature is prescribed.
The LSRCA developed a Terms of Reference to help determine the scope of the NHE/EIS.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Answer: The Conservation Authority will retain natural heritage review in areas outside of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt plans and settlement areas. This includes the review in those settlement areas that have been approved after the effective date of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan – June 2, 2009. The Conservation Authority will also retain natural heritage review for applications within 120m of the Lake Simcoe Shoreline to ensure conformity with the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
Where developments and site alteration are proposed in proximity to regulated features (watercourses, wetlands, valleylands, shoreline) they must meet LSRCA permitting requirements. It is important to note that plan and permit review are complementary functions. The ‘principle of development’ is established through the planning approval process which must consider the same constraints that are regulated by the LSRCA, whereas the permitting process identifies the specific site requirements prior to any construction or alterations taking place within regulated areas. It is important that early involvement with the LSRCA is maintained when regulated features are present to ensure efficient and effective review. INSERT FLOW CHART HERE AS WELL? I need the original for the math
Answer: Natural heritage review requires interpretation of ecological data and mapping, knowledge of standard field survey protocols, familiarity with policy, and knowledge of mitigation techniques and best practices. Review involves ensuring that natural features and connections are properly identified, that appropriate criteria are used to assess the significance of these, interpreting policy to ensure they are afforded the protection that is outlined in provincial and local land use plans, and that any EIS prepared has met certain standards of quality so that adequate and accurate information is used to plan development that is sensitive to natural heritage.
The EIS/NHE must assess the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the proposed development on natural heritage and hydrologic features, the natural heritage system, and related ecological and hydrologic functions.
The EIS/NHE must demonstrate through the evaluation that the measures (mitigation) applied to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the adverse impacts resulting from development are sufficient to result in “no negative impact”.
Yes, the Conservation Authority can assist in staking exercises for natural hazards such as wetlands and valleylands
- Terms of Reference – Used to determine the appropriate studies required for the NHE/ EIS
- Natural Heritage System and Restoration Strategy –The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has developed a Natural Heritage System and Restoration Strategy for the Lake Simcoe watershed. This Natural Heritage System is an update to the previous Natural Heritage System for the Lake Simcoe Watershed, Phase 1 (Beacon Environmental & LSRCA, 2007).
- Natural Heritage System and Restoration Strategy (Published: 2018)
Ecological Offsetting Policy
Our Ecological Offsetting Policy is one of the ways we’re trying to improve our watershed’s health. We launched the Policy in 2017 in order to respond to the impacts on the landscape as a result of development. The concept of ecological offsetting is not new. It has been practiced around the world for several years.
Our Policy requires property developers to compensate for the negative environmental consequences of their activities on the land.
Ecological Offsetting is a tiered plan – AVOID, MINIMIZE, MITIGATE or COMPENSATE.
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