Niagara Natural Environment Information Layer
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has produced a Niagara Natural
Environment Information Map Layer using the same concept as the screening
layer it uses to flag areas for Authority review that potentially fall under its
Regulations.
Criteria based on Niagara Planning Function Review MOU
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority was asked to prepare and
maintain, with the assistance of the Region of Niagara and Area Municipalities, a
Natural Environment Information Map for the Region of Niagara. This map would
define most of the Region, Area Municipality and Conservation Authority
geographic interests in the Natural Environment and was proposed to include:
a)
all streams and watercourses in the Region of Niagara plus a 15-metre
buffer on either side;
b)
the Regional Policy Plan – Environmental Protection designation plus a
30-metre buffer;
c)
the Regional Policy Plan - Environmental Conservation designation;
d)
Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shoreline plus a 50-metre buffer;
e)
regulated Areas under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act;
and,
f)
mapping of Natural Heritage Features and Areas as defined by the
Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, and any other Provincial
Policy Document as they become available.
Additional Criteria based on Regional Environmental Policies
Building upon the screening concept with the intent to flag lands that now require
natural heritage planning review by the Authority, the following Regional OPA
187 policies regarding lands adjacent to natural heritage features were
incorporated into the Niagara Natural Environment Information Layer.
Table 7-1: Core Natural Heritage System Components:
Adjacent Lands
Core Natural Heritage System
Component
Adjacent Lands
Where an EIS Shall Be Required for
Development Applications
Environmental Protection Area
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Provincially Significant Life
Science Area of Natural and
Scientific Interest
All lands within 50 metres.
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Provincially Significant Wetland
All lands within 120 metres.
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Habitat of Threatened and
Endangered Species
All lands within 50 metres.
Environmental Conservation Area
All lands within 50 metres.
Fish Habitat
All lands within 30 metres of the top
of bank.
Where a component of the Core Natural Heritage System lies within the
Provincial Greenbelt Plan Natural Heritage System adjacent lands mean all
lands within 120 metres of the natural heritage component.
Final Layer Components
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Regional Policy Plan EPA PSW plus 120m adjacent lands buffer
120m adjacent lands on Core Natural Heritage System components within
Greenbelt Natural Heritage System
120m adjacent lands on all OWES features within Greenbelt Boundary
120m adjacent lands on all significant hydrologic features within the nonurban lands of the Greenbelt Plan Area Boundary
Regional Policy Plan EPA plus 50m EIS adjacent lands
Regional Policy Plan ECA plus 50m EIS adjacent lands
Regional Policy Plan Core Natural Heritage Corridors
Fish Habitat with 30m adjacent lands
Great Lakes Shoreline 50m inland lands
Greenbelt Natural Heritage System
NPCA Screening Layer for Section 28 of the CA Act consisting of:
o Riverine Erosion Hazard Extent
o Riverine Flood Hazard Extent
o Shoreline Erosion Hazard Extent
o Shoreline Flood Hazard Extent
o NPCA Regulated Wetlands plus 30m allowance
o OWES Wetlands plus 30m allowance
o SOLRIS v2 Wetlands
o All streams and watercourses in the Niagara Watershed plus a 15metre allowance
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City of Hamilton ESAs
Earth Science ANSIs