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Natural Heritage Systems Planning Michael Wynia, MCIP, RPP What? Why? How? Photos: Michael Wynia
Natural Heritage Systems Planning
Michael Wynia, MCIP, RPP
What?
Why?
How?
Photos: Michael Wynia
Disclaimer – this presentation is aimed at land use planners.
While biologist, ecologists etc. will be familiar with all of this information, the averagemunicipal planner has to deal with a wide range of issues – housing, economic development, transportation, heritage, etc. etc.
Natural heritage is just one aspect – but because a land use planner can have sucha significant influence on what happens at a council meeting and on the ground, it is essential to get the information to the planners and in a way the relates to planning terms and functions.
Photo: Michael Wynia
What has changed?
Climate Change
Biodiversity Losses
Green Infrastructure
Ecosystem Services
“By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and aquatic systems are conserved through well‐connected networks of protected areas and other effective area‐based conservation measures”
International and Provincial Targets
“By 2015, natural heritage system plans and biodiversity conservation strategies are developed and implemented at the municipal and landscape level”
Natural heritage systems provide numerous benefits and are an essential component of healthy communities.
Ecosystem Services of Southern and Eastern Ontario
Over $84 Billion (2008) in nature’s benefits provided every year!
Valuation at Smaller Scales
• Regulate local ambient temperatures
• Maintain and improve local and regional rainfall patterns
• Assist in water balance maintenance (drought and flooding)
• Sequester carbon• Allow for movement of
wildlife and vegetation in response to changing climate conditions
Natural Heritage Systems and Climate Change
“Long‐term economic prosperity should be supported by: … minimizing negative impacts from a changing climate and considering ecological benefits provided by nature”‐ PPS, 2014 (Section 1.7)
Planning for Nature’s Benefit(s)
Natural heritage systems planning goes beyond a features‐based approach to natural heritage planning. It recognizes the inadequacy of protecting a particular woodland, river, wetland or natural area in isolation. Instead, it is premised on identifying Greenways –spatially and functionally interconnected systems of core natural features, corridors and buffers – so that the benefits they provide can be restored, enhanced or protected.
A new section has been added to the PPS dealing with natural heritage systems:
2.1.3 Natural heritage systems shall be identified in Ecoregions 6E & 7E, recognizing that natural heritage systems will vary in size and form in settlement areas, rural areas, and prime agricultural areas.
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The PPS
Natural heritage systems were previously incorporated in regard to maintenance of ecological function and diversity.
Now they “shall be identified” in Ecoregions 6E and 7E.
Essentially this means that natural heritage systems:
• shall be identified (2.1.3); and
•should be maintained, restored or, where feasible, improved (2.1.2).
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The identification of natural heritage systems will depend on context.
Natural heritage systems will consist of different elements and look different in settlement areas, versus rural areas, versus prime agricultural areas.
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In settlement areas, natural heritage systems are likely to include valley systems, parklands and other open space, trails, natural areas etc.
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In prime agricultural areas, natural heritage systems may include active agricultural uses in recognition of the inter‐relationships between agriculture and natural systems.
Photo: Michael Wynia
In rural areas there may be extensive natural areas, trails and interaction with farmland.
Photo: Michael Wynia
The new definition of natural heritage systems recognizes that linkages are an intrinsic component of the system.
Photo: Michael Wynia
New Policy Initiatives
New Policy Initiatives
Natural Heritage Systems across Ontario
The State of Ontario’s Biodiversity Summary2015 indicated that, in 2013, only 30% of municipality’s had a natural heritage system in their official plan.
Photo: Michael Wynia
Some provincial guidance on the identification of natural heritage systems can be found in:
How?
The Province has a methodology for identifying natural heritage systems – but municipal approaches which achieve the same objectives can also be utilized.
Photo: Michael Wynia
While the Provincial Policy Statement provides a broad framework and basis for natural heritage systems, the municipal Official Plan provides the detail that is required to comprehensively integrate that framework into land use planning policies and decisions.
Effective municipal policies are essential to natural heritage systems planning
Photo: Michael Wynia
Who is Ontario Nature?How Much Habitat is Enough?
Provides a basis for evaluation and setting targets:
2.1 Wetland Habitat Guidelines
2.1.1 Percent Wetlands in the Watershed and Subwatersheds
2.1.2 Wetland Location
2.1.3 Amount of Natural Vegetation Adjacent to the Wetland
2.1.4 Wetland Area, Shape and Diversity
2.1.5 Wetland Proximity
2.1.6 Wetland Restoration
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2.2 Riparian and Watershed Habitat Guidelines
2.2.1 Width of Natural Vegetation Adjacent to Stream
2.2.2 Percent of Stream Length Naturally Vegetated
2.2.3 Percent of an Urbanizing Watershed that Is Impervious
2.2.4 Additional Riparian and Watershed Considerations
2.2.5 Fish Community Targets
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2.3 Forest Habitat Guidelines
2.3.1 Percent Forest Cover
2.3.2 Area of Largest Forest Patch
2.3.3 Percent of Watershed that Is Forest Cover 100 Metres from Edge
2.3.4 Forest Shape
2.3.5 Proximity to Other Forested Patches
2.3.6 Fragmented Landscapes and the Role of Corridors
2.3.7 Forest Quality: Species Composition and Age Structure
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2.4 Grassland Habitat Guidelines
2.4.1 Where to Protect and Restore
2.4.2Habitat Type and Area
2.4.3Landscape Configuration, Heterogeneity and Connectivity
2.4.4Patch Size
2.4.5 Landscape Heterogeneity
2.4.6 Additional Grassland Considerations Photo: Michael Wynia
Watershed Report Cards
Watershed Plans
Environmental Reviews
Natural Heritage Studies
Official Plans
Environmental Assessments
Restoration Plans
Land Securement Plans
For the Southern Canadian Shield:
The next step…
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Photo: Michael Wynia
Who is Ontario Nature?Best‐Practices Manual
Who is Ontario Nature?Best‐Practices Manual
• Over 80 Ontario Official Plans reviewed for best practices in natural heritage system policies
• 60 best practice policy examples found in 23 Official Plans
Photo: Michael Wynia
The purpose of the Best Practices Guide is to assist with policy development as municipalities review and update their Official Plans. It is intended to stimulate and facilitate innovative, systems‐based policy development.
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We reviewed over 80 different municipal plans. We had to select examples, but we know there are many more. We hope that this initiative leads to sharing other policies and experiences in natural heritage systems planning.
The Best Practices Manual has been developed as a tool that municipalities can utilize in natural heritage systems policy development.
Intended to assist you in formulating effective local policy to suit your particular needs and circumstances.
Photo: Michael Wynia
The manual provides:
•Background on the guide;
•A discussion on the role of municipal planning; and,
•A discussion around natural heritage systems and agriculture.
The main content of the manual is the Principles and Best Practices section.
It is organized in three categories:
•Identification, protection and restoration of NHS;•Integration of NHS planning; and•Requirements for Environmental Impact Studies.
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The best practice examples were selected around 19 principles which were developed to guide natural heritage systems policy development and planning.
Photo: Michael Wynia
The manual includes a quick reference table to each of the 19 principles and examples from municipalities inside and/or outside the Greenbelt area.
The principles themselves provide potential guidance in the development of a well planned natural heritage system.
Photo: Michael Wynia
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3.1.1 Policy should ensure that natural heritage inventories are undertaken, updated and maintained.
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Rationale:
•Initial ground truthing step.•Provides information about features and linkages, and ideally health of the system.
•Can support multiple objectives – OP, watershed studies, ecological restoration, stewardship activities.
•Guides important planning decisions.
•Accurate and updated inventories are important.
Best Practice: City of Waterloo:
“The City may undertake studies to evaluate the status and completeness of the Natural System with the intent of determining the precise location of natural features, identifying elements of the system that need to be added or modified, and establishing targets related to ecological function and biodiversity.”
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3.1.2 Policy should require the identification and protection of core natural heritage features and corridors, and linkages to surface water and groundwater features and functions.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.3 Policy should establish a commitment or reference to maintaining, improving and restoring the biodiversity and long‐term ecological function of natural heritage systems.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.4 Policy should address and protect features, functions and linkages not otherwise identified in the Official Plan.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.5 Policy should direct that permitted uses take into account the impact on the natural heritage system, including ecological functions, and should incorporate prohibitions on development and site alteration within the natural heritage system.
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3.1.6 Policy should require the implementation of natural heritage system policies in zoning by‐laws and subsequent amendments, as well as in other municipal by‐laws.Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.7 Policy should establish provisions to grow and enhance the secured and environmentally managed portion of the natural heritage systems (e.g. through conservation easements, stewardship agreements or acquisitions).
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.8 Policy should require monitoring of the ecological health of the natural heritage system.
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3.1.9 Policy should enable biodiversity offsetting (i.e. compensatory mitigation) on a net gain basis, but only after avoidance and mitigation have been fully addressed, and only if:
1.the impacted biodiversity values have been explicitly measured;2.the restoration of these values within a reasonable timeframe is demonstrably feasible; and, 3.uncertainties and risks have been fully accounted for in the loss‐gain calculation (i.e. replacement ratio).
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.1.10 Policy should provide for the involvement of the public and non‐municipal agencies in the identification of natural heritage features and functions in monitoring activities.
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Photo: Michael Wynia
3.2.1 Policy should ensure the integration of natural heritage systems planning at multiple levels: regional, watershed, subwatershed and/or secondary plan level.
Photo: Michael Wynia
Rationale:•Scale is an important consideration.•Systems should incorporate features considered significant at a range of scales and should provide for refining features at various stages in the planning system and in the development approval process.•Natural systems cross boundaries.
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Best Practice: City of Hamiltonractice: City of Hamilton“The City shall encourage the connection of Core Areas within the municipality
and adjacent to its municipal boundaries through the identification of Linkages in Environmental Impact Statements, Secondary Plans, watershed plans, and other studies. Linkages include the following: woodland linkages (e.g. small woodlands); other natural vegetation types (e.g. meadows, old field, thickets); or streams and watercourses that connect Core Areas.”
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.2.2 Policy should acknowledge the importance of cross‐jurisdictional communication and co‐operation regarding natural heritage systems.
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3.2.3 Policy should recognize the relationships and synergies between natural heritage systems and the surrounding environment, including agricultural lands, urban areas and resource extraction areas.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.2.4 Policy should recognize the socio‐economic, cultural and ecological values associated with natural heritage features and the services that the natural heritage system provides to the community.
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Photo: Michael Wynia
3.3.1 Policy should require proponents to conduct environmental impact studies and demonstrate that through avoidance and mitigation measures, there will be no negative impacts on the natural heritage system. Photo: Michael Wynia
Rationale:
Environmental impacts studies:•Are intended to protect features and functions by demonstrating that development will not have a negative impact.•Should suit scale of the proposal and potential impacts.•Should have workable planning recommendations.•Should be determined in consultation with relevant approval agencies.
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Best Practice: Clearview Township
“Where development is proposed in natural heritage features, or where development may impact the functions of natural heritage features, the proponent shall be required to prepare, as part of an EIS, an evaluation of the feature’s composition and function to assess the significance of the area and its suitability for development. If it is determined, through the EIS and natural heritage evaluation, that development can proceed, the proponent shall be required to prepare a protection and mitigation plan. Where appropriate, site remediation plans may also be required focusing on principles of site naturalization…The Township of Clearview may require the entering into of agreements and associated securities to ensure the implementation of the preservation techniques described in the evaluation study, protection and preservation plan, remediation plan, and/or EIS…The primary objective of an EIS is, first, to identify and assess the potential impacts of development on the natural features and functions of the area, and, second, where development is concluded to be appropriate, to ensure its integration with the natural system through sensitive design…Only where it is established through an EIS, approved by the Township of Clearview and/or other responsible approval authority(s), that development can occur in accordance with sound management practices, the permitted use may proceed on the basis of the recommendations of the EIS, the requirements of the municipality, and the other pertinent policies of this Official Plan.”
3.3.2 Policy should clearly set out the requirements for impact assessments, including required content and analysis.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.3.3 Policy should require the consideration of the role and importance of lands adjacent to natural heritage systems, an analysis of the impacts of development proposals, and the establishment of appropriate ecological buffers and setbacks.
Photo: Michael Wynia
3.3.4 Policy should require that development proponents consult with municipal staff, environmental advisory committees and/or planning boards prior to submitting an application.
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3.3.5 Policy should provide for extended and meaningful consultation with stakeholders that may exceed requirements in the Planning Act, particularly where large‐scale developments or developments with potential significant impacts are being considered.
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Additional tools:
Additional tools:
There are a tremendous number of resources available to provide background information and assist a municipality in development of a natural heritage system.
Don’t discount the value of local and indigenous knowledge.
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Full Day Workshops in January/February 2017
LondonPeterboroughTorontoParry Sound
ON Best Practices and Biodiversity Offsetting
CWS How Much Habitat is Enough? and Atlas
Conservation Authority and municipal examples
DU and other NGOs
OPPI CPL partnership
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Sessions will be promoted through Ontario Professional Planners Institute:
http://ontarioplanners.ca
And Ontario Nature:
https://www.ontarionature.org
And group on LinkedIn to share information, promote discussions etc.
Join the Natural Heritage Systems Planning Group to participate.
Thank you for your time.Michael Wynia, MCIP, RPP
ca.linkedin.com/in/wyniarpp/
[email protected]@krystawyn.com
www.skeltonbrumwell.ca
www.krystawynnatureblog.org
Photo: M
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