Celebrate the Niagara Escarpment

AWARE – April 25. 2013

CELEBRATE THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT – April 25, 2013

Presentation

• Uniqueness of the Niagara Escarpment• Adoption of the Niagara Escarpment Plan• Challenges • Renewal – Additions, Amendments and

Review• Role of supporters

Uniqueness of the Escarpment

• The Escarpment soars 510 metres (1675 ft.) at its highest point and stretches 725 km (450 miles) from Niagara to Tobermory.

• The Niagara Escarpment is a massive ridge of fossil-rich sedimentary rock which began its formation 450 million years ago as the outer rim of a shallow sea known geologically as the Michigan Basin.

Dolostone

Shale

It is a rich mosaic of forests, farms, recreation areas, scenic views, cliffs, streams, wetlands, rolling hills, waterfalls, mineral resources, wildlife habitats, historic sites, villages, towns and cities.

A special place -

The Escarpment is home to more than 300 bird species, 53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 fish and 100 varieties of special interest flora including 37 types of wild orchids.

The Escarpment is home to almost 40% of Ontario’s rare flora.

Water -

Most of central Ontario’s major stream valleys , streams and watersheds have as their source the wetlands at the top of the Escarpment.

The quality and quantity of these streams therefore depends on preserving these wetlands, the springs that feed these streams.

Adoption of the Niagara Escarpment Plan

• 1960’s citizens concern over aggregate development• 1967 Government task force to study• 1973 Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development

Act (NEPDA) and the creation of the NEC• 1978 Preliminary Proposals generated tremendous

backlash• First NEP was only 63% of the Planning Area • Hearings for 26 months • Approved in 1985

October 2, 2009

The Niagara Escarpment Plan

Niagara Escarpment Plan Purpose

The purpose of this Plan is to provide for the maintenance of the Niagara Escarpment and land in its vicinity substantially as a continuous natural environment, and to ensure only such development occurs as is compatible with that natural environment.

Challenges

1. Provincial Planning Context

2. Development Pressures

3. Rationalizing and developing polices to protect Natural Heritage Features

4. Do more with Less

1. Provincial Planning Context

• Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)• Greenbelt Act, 2005 • Places to Grow Act, 2005• Regional, District Official Plans• Local Official Plans

• Natural Heritage Reference Manual

2. Developmental Pressures

• Pits and Quarries • More intensive commercial, residential and

recreational uses• Energy, communications infrastructure – wind,

solar , towers • Protecting scenic quality, open landscape

character and cultural landscapes

3. Natural Heritage Protection

• Net Gain and Environmental Consideration• Protection of isolated features versus natural

heritage systems• Protecting Water Resources• Incorporating Effective Environmental

Monitoring

Do more with Less

Renewal

Additions • Outside of the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area• Within the NE Planning Area but outside of the

Niagara Escarpment Plan

Amendments• To permit individual development• To change policy or designations

NEP Review 2015

• Required by the NEPDA and the Greenbelt Plan

• Guiding Principles • Plan Review Topics• Approval Process – Hearing under

Environmental Review Tribunal

Role of Supporters• First, understand the issues as well as possible -contact the

communications staff, the web site, the responsible staff; etc., DO YOUR HOMEWORK

• While recognizing the limitations of the agency, express your support or dissatisfaction through your local commissioners, directly to the NEC and MPP’s;

• NEP provides a level of protection to landowners but it is also a resource for the whole Province so work through your existing memberships – Bruce Trail Conservancy, Federation of Ontario Nature, AWARE etc.,

• Form a group of like-minded persons to work at all levels to achieve your objectives

• But be aware of your limitations, burn out and needs• Respect others for their opinions, their ability to offer support etc.,

Sometimes what appears like a road block – is only an up hill climb