Natural Heritage Policy Review

Policy Options for Cultural Woodlands and Cultural Savannahs

• Option 1 – Consider significant based on size thresholds and criteria listed above

• Option 2 – Classify as PNACs

• Option 3 – Do not consider as significant

• Option 4 – Do not change policy

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Preliminary Preferred Policy Option for Woodlands

• Policy Option 1for Patch Size

• Policy Option 3for Age, Proximity, Linkage Function and Supporting Significant Species

• Policy Option 2for Cultural Woodlands and Cultural Savannahs

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Cultural WoodlandsCultural SavannahsAll other woodlands >0.5 ha

Size•Rural System - 4 to 16 ha•Urban System – 2 to 4 haAgeLinkageProximitySurface WaterSignificant Species

Size•Rural System >/= 16 ha•Urban System >/= 4 haAge >/= 4 haSignificant Species >/=4 ha

PNACNACCore

Preliminary Preferred Option for Woodlands

Table showing classification into Core Area, NAC and PNAC categories

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Plantations

•Are considered “woodlands”, but are excluded from being significant if plantation is managed:

• for fruits, nuts, Christmas trees or nursery stock;

• with average rotation less than 20 years; and

• for complete removal at rotation without a forest restoration objective.

• Approach consistent with ORMCP Technical Paper 7 and Draft Greenbelt Plan Technical Paper 2

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Significant Wildlife Habitat

• Definition• Criteria and Thresholds

– Category A – Seasonal Concentration Areas

– Category B – Rare Vegetation Communities & Specialized Habitat

– Category C – Habitat for Species of Conservation Concern

– Category D – Animal Movement Corridors

• Identifying Thresholds & Mapping– Lack of Data on Region/Town-wide basis– “bottom up” vs “top down”

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Policy Options for Significant Wildlife Habitat

• Option 1 – List as Core Areas

• Option 2 – List as Core Areas but place criteria/thresholds in appendix

• Option 3 – List as Core Areas with no reference criteria/thresholds

• Option 4 – List as NACs and direct area municipalities to use criteria/thresholds as study requirements

• Option 5 – List as NACs with no reference to criteria/thresholds

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Significant Wildlife Habitat

• Recommended Option: – List SWH as NACs– Include Criteria/Thresholds in Appendix– Criteria/Thresholds applied or refined as

study requirements– Mapping for Some Criteria:

• Highly Diverse Areas • Landbird Migratory Stopover Areas

Natural Heritage Policy Review

Discussion, Questions and Comments…

Natural Heritage Policy Review

November 24, 2008

Beyond PROPR: Evolving Natural Heritage Systems Planning

• SHIFT BEGAN IN THE 1970’S

• 1980’s SAW THE INITIATION OF PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY FEATURES

• POLICIES WERE ADOPTED BY MANY MUNICIPALITIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES TO PROTECT NATURAL FEATURES

• THE 1990’s BROUGHT SEVERAL LOCAL INITIATIVES – LINKAGES AND CORRIDORS AS EARLY NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS

EVOLUTION FROM THE “ISLANDS OF GREEN” TO “SYSTEMS”POLICY MILESTONES IN ONTARIO

Provincial Planning has been moving to Natural Heritage Systems Planning:

• NIAGARA ESCARPMENT PLAN

• OAK RIDGES MORAING PLAN

• GREENBELT PLAN

• ONTARIO’s BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY

• NATURAL SPACES PROGRAM

• PPS – discusses the need to maintain, restore or improve the connectivity of natural features and ecological function of natural heritage features

EVOLUTION FROM THE “ISLANDS OF GREEN” TO “SYSTEMS”POLICY MILESTONES IN ONTARIO (cont’d)

Current regional policy:

• GREENLANDS SYSTEM, BUT LARGELY FEATURE BASED

• DOES NOT DEFINE OR IDENTIFY CORRIDORS AND LINKAGES

• CURRENTLY LEFT TO THE DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS PROCESS THROUGH LOCAL MUNICIPAL PLANNING STUDIES

• NEED CONSISTENT CRITERIA, STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION

• APPROACHES NEED TO BE RECONCILED

� Isolated features cannot sustain themselves

� Functional connections required for plants and animals

EVOLUTION FROM THE “ISLANDS OF GREEN” TO “SYSTEMS”POLICY MILESTONES IN ONTARIO (cont’d)

Sustainable Halton:

• CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH

• INCLUDES 3 ALTERNATIVE NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS:

� Option 1 - Minimum Policy Standard

� Option 2 – Systems Based Approach

� Option 3 – Enhanced Ecological Integrity

• KEY FEATURES: � RECOGNITION OF THE ROLE OF THE NIAGARA

ESCARPMENT IN CONNECTING TO A LARGER SYSTEM

� IDENTIFICATION OF “CENTRES OF BIODIVERSITY”

CURRENT EXAMPLE OF SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH

Town of Markham:

• CURRENTLY REVISING OFFICIAL PLAN POLICIES

• NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM BASED ON FUNCTIONAL LINKAGES

• MAIN LINKAGE IS THE ROUGE RIVER

• NHS BUILDS ON THE GREENSPACE IN THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN AREAS

• IDENTIFIES AREAS WHERE EXISTING FEATURES CAN JOIN TO MAKE LARGER PATCHES

• INCORPORATES THE TRCA’s NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM STRATEGY

CURRENT EXAMPLE OF SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH

Outline the preliminary scope of work:

• ESTABLISH COMMITMENT TO SCOPE OF WORK

� PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS

� COUNCIL COMMITMENT – REGIONAL AND LOCAL

� AGENCY PARTNERSHIP

� STAKEHOLDER AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION

� STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES

� FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS

� SYSTEMS MODELING

� POLICY ADOPTION

NEXT STEPS

Suggested approach:

• REVIEW OF EXISTING NHS’s WITHIN PEEL

• REVIEW EACH OF THE NHS’s BY TRCA, CVC AND LSRCA

• IDENTIFY KEY ISSUES

• GAP ANALYSIS

• EVALUATION

• DOES THE REGIONAL POLICIES AND VISION NEED TO CHANGE?

• WHAT TOOLS, RESOURCES AND FUNDING ARE NEEDED AND

AVAILABLE?

NEXT STEPS

Suggested action and timing:

• REGIONAL COUNCIL SUPPORT

• DRAFT OF WORKPLAN BY STAFF

• ANTICIPATE COMPLETION OF CA MODELS IN 2009

• NEXT STEPS TO BEGIN IN 2009

NEXT STEPS

• DEVELOP A REGIONAL GREENLANDS STRATEGY

RECOMMENDATION

Peel Region Environment Workshop 

Monday November 24th, 2008 

 

(Draft) Workshop Summary Report 

Appendix E  

Environment Workshop

AGRICULTURE

November 24, 2008Facilitator: David Wright

Objectives

• Long-term protection of prime agricultural lands and resources

• Flexibility for agriculture, agriculture-related and secondary uses and normal farm practices

• Financial viability of the agricultural industry in the future

• Address demands for locally grown produce

Characteristics of Peel Agriculture, 2006 Census

• Farmland declined from 42,263 ha in 2001 to 38,445 ha in 2006

• 483 farms in Peel - 7% decrease between 2001 and 2006

• 389 farms in Caledon - 85% of farmland in 2006

• Over ⅓ of farms in Caledon were above 52 ha• Farmer-owned land in Peel was 47%

• Rest is rented, leased or crop shared

Characteristics of Peel Agriculture (contd.)

• Female farm operators increased by 3% between 2001 and 2006

• 50% of farm operators were 55 years and older• Peel had highest average farm market value in

the GTA • Mississauga $5.7m; Brampton $4.3m; Caledon

$3.8m • Common farm activities: dairy cattle, oilseed

and grain farming, green house, nursery and floriculture

Opportunities for Peel Agriculture

• Environmental and social benefits of agriculture– Land stewardship– Soil conservation

• Land resources and economic capability- 12.5% of GTA farmland is in Peel - Agriculture accounts for 3% for GTA GDP- Employment opportunities- Closeness to market = outstanding performance

- Tourist potential

Opportunities for Peel Agriculture (contd.)

• Secondary uses and value added businesses- New revenue sources for farmers- Small scale farm enterprises- Large scale agro-businesses- Food processing

• Urban and near urban agriculture – potential for diversification

- Community & market gardening - Self sufficiency & local produce

• Broader range of farm produce to meet changing demographics

Challenges in the agricultural industry

• Loss of Prime Agricultural Land due to urban pressure

• Data uncertainties:– Amount of lands being productively farmed– Land available for prospective farmers

• Changing Peel Demographics• Competition from imported produce• Aging farm population

• Declining interest among young adults

Policy Directions

• Protect prime agricultural lands defined by firm urban boundaries

• Protect against the loss and fragmentation of the agricultural land base in the future

• Support the agricultural industry and the viability of the business of farming

• Promote renewable energy on farms as a permitted as-of-right use.

Policy approaches in other municipalities

• British Columbia The Agricultural Land Reserve– Preserves agriculture land vs. balancing land uses

• York Region Regional Structure and Growth Management

- Firm growth patterns for agriculture/System of greenlands

• Waterloo: Countryside Line• RM of Niagara Agriculture and the Niagara

Economy (Good General Agricultural Area)– Recognizes contribution to the economy – Restrict the establishment of non-farm uses

Thank youQuestions/ Comments

Peel Region Environment Workshop 

Monday November 24th, 2008 

 

(Draft) Workshop Summary Report 

    

Appendix F  

Peel Region Official Plan Review (PROPR)

- Environment Workshop

Sustainability Concurrent Session

Naheeda JamalPrincipal Planner, Planning Policy & Research

November 24, 2008

Provincial Policy Framework to Support Sustainability

PROPR Focus Areas

Planning Tools

& Updates

Integrated Waste

Management

Employment Lands Regional

Housing Strategy

Energy

Water Resources

Agriculture

GreenbeltConformity

Transportation

Managing

Growth

Monitoring

Air Quality

Natural Heritage

Consultation,

Communication& Engagement

Policies - Four Pillars as Foundation of ROP

Specific Policies on Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability Focus Area Process

PeelRegion Official Plan

(ROP)

Peel ROP(Updated)

Peel RegionOfficial Plan Review

ImplementationGreen Development Standards, Climate

Change and Corporate Sustainability

Integrated CommunitySustainability Plan (ICSP)Sustainability Review

Background Paperon Sustainability

Discussion Paperon Changes to ROP

SustainabilityWorkshop

Phase 1

Definitions of Sustainability

• Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Brundtland Commission, 1987

• “A holistic or systemic view of sustainable development sees it as a process of change guided by a number of values or principles.”

John Fien and Daniella Tilbury

• “Doing things better – not doing without.”David Suzuki

Sustainability Framework

Sustainability? Or Sustainable Development

Time

ObjectivesSustainable Development

Unsustainable Development

Now

Sustainability

Integrated

Environment

Society

Economy

Culture

Balanced

Environment

Society

Economy

Culture

Balance? Or Integration

Sustainability

Sustainability Framework

• Ecological imperative

• Social imperative

• Economic imperative

• Cultural imperative

Goals of the Plan• Creating a healthy regional community of communities for

those living and working in Peel

• To recognize, respect, preserve and enhance the importance of ecosystem features and functions and enhance the environmental well-being of air, water, land resources and living organisms

• To recognize the importance of a vital and diverse economy and a sound tax base

• To support growth and development which takes place in a sustainable manner, and which integrates the environmental, social, economic and cultural responsibilities of the Region and the Province

PROPR Sustainability Project• Provincial Conformity

• Sustainability within Other PROPR Focus Areas

• Four Pillars of Sustainable Development as a Foundation within the ROP

• Specific sustainability policies related to green development standards, climate change and corporate sustainability

• Basis for Future Policies and Programs

Discussion Questions1) Is this overarching policy framework

appropriate as a theme for the updated Regional Official Plan (ROP)?

2) Does this policy framework comprehensively address all aspects of sustainability?

3) How can this sustainable development policy framework be improved?

Discussion Questions4) Do the goals of the plan reflect the overarching

sustainable development policy framework?

5) How can these goals be improved to be better aligned with the sustainable development policy framework?

Peel Region Official Plan Review (PROPR)

- Environment Workshop

Sustainability Concurrent Session

Naheeda JamalPrincipal Planner, Planning Policy & Research

November 24, 2008

PROPR Focus Areas

Planning Tools

& Updates

Integrated Waste

Management

Employment Lands Regional

Housing Strategy

Energy

Water Resources

Agriculture

GreenbeltConformity

Transportation

Managing

Growth

Monitoring

Air Quality

Natural Heritage

Consultation,

Communication& Engagement

Policies - Four Pillars as Foundation of ROP

Specific Policies on Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY

Green Development Standards

Green Development Policy• The Region prepare green development standards

that address Regional interest and promote sustainable development

• The area municipalities be encouraged to prepare green development standards, addressing land use and transportation issues

• The Region encourage the area municipalities to require proponents to submit a sustainability design brief as part of the development and/or redevelopment process in order to achieve sustainability principles

Sustainability Planning

Adaptation Mitigation

Sustainable Development

Social

Cultural

Economic

Environment

Climate Change Planning

Climate Change• Climate Change Service Strategy Business Plan

(SSBP) - Region, Credit Valley Conservation and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

• Mitigation and Adaptation

• PIEVC Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment Protocol Pilot Project

Climate Change Policy• To reduce the effects of climate change and minimize

adverse impacts, the Region will prepare in consultation with the Conservation Authorities, the area municipalities, and stakeholders, a climate change strategy to address mitigation and adaptation aspects of climate change including establishment of targets and modelling the impacts on the Region

Corporate Sustainability Strategy• Strategic Plan V: 2007-2010:

– Goal 2, “Protect, enhance and restore the environment”.

– Objective 2.2: Promote sustainable transportation, energy and environmental practices.

– Objective 2.5: Develop a corporate strategy to respond to climate change and implement strategies to improve air quality.

Corporate Sustainability Strategy Objectives

• Guiding principles, goals and objectives;

• provide guidance on how to assess Peel’s services using a sustainability “lens” ;

• Identify actions for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change; and

• Will draw from various relevant programs, projects and initiatives

Corporate Sustainability Policy• The Region of Peel apply best sustainability practices

in its own operations and institutional, corporate decision-making that embodies sustainability values and principles.

• The Region of Peel prepare a sustainability strategy that provides for the most effective and efficient use of Regional resources. As part of the strategy, the Region will develop a sustainability lens to be utilized in reviewing the Region’s programs and services.

Next Steps

• Comments are due on the Sustainability Draft Policy DirectionsDecember 5, 2008

• Public open house – February 2009

• Statutory Public meeting –February 2009

• Develop Draft ROPA

•Recommend to Council Adoption of Policies – April 2009

Consultation with

Stakeholders and Area Municipal Partners

• Gain Input on Sustainability Draft Policy Directions at Environment Workshop – November 24, 2008

Discussion Questions6) What are specific suggestions you have for

Regional green development standards?

Discussion Questions7) What are the elements of a successful climate

change strategy that addresses mitigation and adaptation?

Discussion Questions8) What are the elements of a successful

corporate sustainability strategy for the Region?

9) Are there other implementation tools that you can suggest to work towards sustainability?

Peel Region Environment Workshop 

Monday November 24th, 2008 

 

(Draft) Workshop Summary Report 

    

Appendix G    

Peel Region Official Plan Review Environmental Workshop

Greenbelt Plan Conformity Session

Facilitator: Ockie Fourie

PURPOSE

� Consider Recommendations on:

�Preferred approach for achieving ROP conformity to the Greenbelt Plan

�Structural changes required to ROP document to create framework for Greenbelt Plan policies

�The proposed next phase - Peel & CaledonOfficial Plan Conformity Analysis

Greenbelt Plan

� Provides protective policies for the Golden Horseshoe Area

� Extends and enhances protective measures of NEP, ORMCP & PBWP by establishing the Protected Countryside designation

� Improves linkages between these areas, the major lake systems & watersheds

Protected Countryside of the Greenbelt Plan

Protected Countryside

Natural System Agricultural System Settlement Areas

Specialty Crop Areas

Prime Agricultural

AreasRural Areas Towns /

VillagesHamlets

Water Resource System

NaturalHeritage System

Greenbelt Plan Policy ElementsGeographic Specific Policies

Protected Countryside:-� Agricultural System

�Specialty Crop Areas�Prime Agricultural Areas�Rural Areas

� Natural Systems�Natural Heritage System�Water Resources System

� Parkland, Open Space & Trails� Settlement Areas

Greenbelt Plan Policy ElementsGeneral Policies

� Protected Countryside:-�Non-Agricultural Uses�Infrastructure�Natural Resources�Cultural Heritage Resources�Existing Uses�Lot Creation

Map Requirements

� Greenbelt Area� Protected Countryside� Natural Heritage System� Key Natural Heritage, Key Hydrologic features &

Associated minimum Vegetation Protection Zones� Prime Agricultural Areas� Rural Areas� Settlement Areas � Wellhead Protection Areas & Vulnerable Areas

Discussion Question:Recommended Preferred Approach

�General reference to the Greenbelt Plan be incorporated in Chapter 2: The Natural Environment, under Section 2.2: Large Environmental Systems;

Discussion Question:Recommended Preferred Approach

�Specific policy references be incorporated in those sections of the ROP that already deal with explicit elements of the Greenbelt Plan; and

Discussion Question:Recommended Preferred Approach

�Make structural changes to ROP document to create a rational framework for Greenbelt Plan policies

Discussion Question:Next Phase of Greenbelt Plan Conformity

�Undertake a joint Official Plan Conformity Analysis

Five Principles of the ROP

� Must be strategic in nature, � Aim to disentangle, eliminate duplication � Add value to the planning and development process � Not lead to Regional involvement in area municipal

planning and servicing responsibilities� Have the Province delegate authority to the Regional,

area municipal and/or conservation authority level

Caledon Guiding Principles for OP Conformity & Review

� Respect & maintain existing OP policies� Meet & not conflict with Provincial policy intent� Respect five principles of ROP� Coordinate/integrate efforts with Peel partners� Coordinate/integrate with other Caledon initiatives

Peel Region Environment Workshop 

Monday November 24th, 2008 

 

(Draft) Workshop Summary Report 

Appendix H

Environment Workshop

ENERGY

November 24, 2008

Facilitator: David Wright

Objectives

• Conserve energy through energy efficient land use design and alternative renewable energy systems

• Plan and develop greener, healthier communities

• Address energy challenges facing Peel now and into the future

• Rethinking energy in the Regional Official Plan.

Energy Dynamics

• Increasing energy demand and supply constraints

• Merits and demerits of fossil-fuels and alternative renewable energy systems

• Upgrade and expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure

• OPA and the Integrated Power System Plan

• Goal to ensure sustainable long-term electricity supply.

Ontario’s Electricity Mix, 2008Target Capacity in 2025

Source Supply Mix 2008 Target Capacity 2025Nuclear 14,000 14,000Hydro/Renewables 7,795 15,700Coal 6,434 nilOil and Gas 5,103 Gas & Cogen 9,400Conservation 1,350 6,300Wind 501Other Renewables 92Gasification nil 250Source: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, 2008

Fossil Fuels

• Declining oil reserves and volatile prices

• Adverse external conditions create instability • Burning petroleum causes environmental and

health problems • Major source of green house gases and smog• Nuclear energy poses high risks and major

disposal, health and security problems.

Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems

• Vast capacity for renewable energy development – wind, solar, bio-energy

• Cogeneration produces electricity and thermal energy efficiently

• District Energy System supplies heating, cooling and power from a centralized plant

• Geothermal System use ground temperature to regulate building temperature.

Advantages of renewable energy systems

• Non-polluting source of green energy - minimum net carbon emissions

• Provide social, environmental and economic benefits

• Protect air, land and water• Do not deplete natural resources

• Local control of energy production and security of our energy supply.

Challenges in the energy sector

• 15% of electrical generation capacity over 40 years by 2020 to be replaced in 5-15 years

• Growth in peak electricity demand has outstripped increases in supply

• High electrical load growth due to growth in population and economy

• Replacing coal-fired plants with alternatives

• Energy conservation and generation to meet demand.

Energy conservation, land use standards and building design

• Compact mixed land use design standards and subdivision design

• Energy efficient building orientation and site planning

• Compact pedestrian-oriented and transit supported neighbourhoods

• Improve occupants’ well being, environmental performance and economic returns.

Municipal Mandate

• Leadership and innovation in developing a Culture of Conservation

• Manage land-use patterns and urban design standards that encourage and support energy-efficient buildings

• Develop renewable and alternative energy systems

• Protect and conserve water, energy, air and cultural heritage.

Air Quality in Peel

� Four ambient monitoring stations in Peel and adjacent area

� Approximately 50% of smog events in Peel are due to transboundaryprimarily from US mid-west

� In general, air quality around Brampton is relatively better than Mississauga which is similar to Oakville

� Air quality in Peel is better than downtown Toronto and Hamilton� Ozone and fine particulate are of a concern as they continue to be at or

above the Canada Wide Standards

Why is the Region interested to improve air quality?

Health Impacts

Economic Impacts

� Compromises to respiratory, immune and circulatory system resulting in increasing in diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart attacks and stokes

� Lost productivity, healthcare costs, pain and suffering, loss of life

Environmental Impacts

� Soil and water� Vegetation� Wildlife

In 2008, the Canadian Medical Association released data estimating the provincial health and economic damages associated with exposure to poor air quality. Data for Ontario revealed that exposure to air pollution was predicted to result in approximately 1,178 acute premature deaths, 4,597 hospital admissions, and 39,575 emergency room visits in 2008. If nothing was done to improve Ontario’s air quality, the number of premature deaths was estimated to hit 2,222 by the year 2031 as the population ages. The combined healthcare and lost productivity costs in 2008 were estimated to reach approximately $3.5 million dollars and are estimated to be over $6 million dollars by 2031.

Canadian Medical Association. 2008. No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution

Sources of emissions

� Design of communities� Tranportation

� Industrial facilities

� Energy use and built form� Open sources

� Transboundary

Common Air Pollutants

Abbreviation Air PollutantO3 Ground level ozone PM2.5 and PM10 Particulate Matter CO Carbon Monoxide SO2 Sulphur Dioxide NOx Nitrogen Oxides VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

Emission Sources by Sector in Ontario

Source: Ontario Ministry of Environment a cited in Report on Evaluation of Air Quality in Peel Region, Golder and Associates

Discussion

• Question 1: Are there innovative policy approaches and/or initiatives to air quality in other municipalities that are worth considering?

• Question 2: What do you think are the strengths and weakness of the draft recommended air quality policies?

• Question 3: What do you think about the suggested “tools” for implementation?

Thank you

Questions / Comments