MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION · MTO’s Working Group, other reviewers from MTO’s Head and Regional...

Environmental Glossary

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

Version: October 2006

Environmental Glossary ii

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

Environmental Glossary

Part of the Environmental Standards and Practices

ISSUED BY: PROVINCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING OFFICE

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION 301 ST. PAUL STREET

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO L2R 7R4

Citation

Environmental Glossary, October, 2006. Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

Acknowledgements

This document was prepared for the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) by Ecoplans Limited. Editor was Clark Gunter. This document was developed under the direction of the Environmental Standards Project (ESP) Team comprised of MTO staff in the Provincial and Environmental Planning Office (Jamie Dougall – Project Director and Brenda Carruthers – Project Manager) and the lead consultant firm of Ecoplans Limited (Bob Hodgins - Project Director and Clark Gunter – Project Manager). The ESP Team would like to acknowledge the numerous contributors and reviewers for this document from MTO’s Working Group, other reviewers from MTO’s Head and Regional Offices, and the Regulatory Liaison Committee that includes representatives from: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Ministry of Natural Resources.

Comments and Suggestions

The Ministry of Transportation welcomes comments and suggestions on ways to improve the document with the objective of providing a practical and pragmatic approach to environmental management in the Province of Ontario. MTO anticipates that changes will be warranted to clarify, improve and incorporate new information. The format of the document is designed to accommodate such changes. Such revisions and amendments will be incorporated in later editions of this document. MTO will not formally respond to unsolicited comments submitted in response to the document. Ce document hautement spécialisé n'est disponsible qu'en anglais en vertue du règlement 411/97, qui enexempte l'application de la Loi sur les services en français. Pour obtenir de l’aide en français, veuillezcommuniquer avec le ministère des Transports, Bureau des services en français au: 905-704-2045 ou 905-704-2046.

Ministry of Transportation Environmental Glossary

Oct-06 Page 3 of 72

VERSION HISTORY

VERSION # DATE DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR CHANGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VERSION HISTORY................................................................................ 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 5

A .............................................................................................................. 6

B ............................................................................................................ 11

C ............................................................................................................ 14

D ............................................................................................................ 20

E ............................................................................................................ 23

F ............................................................................................................ 27

G............................................................................................................ 31

H ............................................................................................................ 33

I.............................................................................................................. 36

J, K ........................................................................................................ 38

L ............................................................................................................ 39

M............................................................................................................ 41

N ............................................................................................................ 43

O............................................................................................................ 46

P, Q ....................................................................................................... 49

R ............................................................................................................ 54

S ............................................................................................................ 56

T ............................................................................................................ 66

U, V........................................................................................................ 68

W ........................................................................................................... 69

X, Y, Z.................................................................................................... 72


Oct-06 Page 5 of 72

INTRODUCTION Background

This document is intended to provide a consistent glossary of environmental and related terms to support all of the Environmental Standards and Practices documents of the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

Disclaimer

The information in this document is provided as a convenience only and should not be relied on as authoritative. The ministry and other agencies may have official or alternative definitions that may be more appropriate.


Oct-06 Page 6 of 72

Term Definition Reference Related to

A

Abnormal Discharge

A discharge of a pollutant designated by the regulations at a location designated by the regulations shall be deemed to be in a quantity or with a quality abnormal at the location.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Surface Water

Acoustical Barriers These include walls, berms and combinations of the two, which are effective in reducing sound levels.

NPC Publications 233 and 206 (MOE) Noise

Action Plan An action plan as identified by Species at Risk Act and included in the public registry. Species at Risk Act (2002) Terrestrial

Ecosystems

Activity See: Project

MTO/DFO/OMNR Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Transportation Undertakings (2006)

Fish and Fish Habitat

Adjacent lands

For the purposes of Provincial Policy Statement sections 2.1 and 2.6.3 respectively: Those lands contiguous to a specific natural heritage feature

or area where it is likely that development or site alteration would have a negative impact on the feature or area. The extent of the adjacent lands may be recommended by the Province or based on municipal approaches which achieve the same objectives; and

Those lands contiguous to a protected heritage property or as otherwise defined in the municipal official plan.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005)

General

Adjacent Noise Sensitive Areas (NSA’s)

The term adjacent defines those NSA’s lying near highway rights-of-way, although not necessarily contiguous to them. An intervening land use may be located between the source and receiver, if that land use is such that its zoning or official plan designation is anticipated to prevent a change in the future to a use which, in itself, will be a barrier to noise.

Environmental Guide for Noise (MTO, 2006) Noise


Oct-06 Page 7 of 72


Adverse Effect

Adverse effect means one or more of: a) impairment of the quality of the natural environment for

any use that can be made of it; b) injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life; c) harm or material discomfort to any person; d) an adverse effect on the health of any person; e) impairment of the safety of any person; f) rendering any property, or plant, or animal unfit for human

use; g) loss of enjoyment of normal use of property; and h) interference with the normal conduct of business.

Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1990) General

Agricultural Uses

The growing of crops, including nursery and horticultural crops; raising of livestock; raising of other animals for food, fur or fibre, including poultry and fish; aquaculture; apiaries; agro-forestry; maple syrup production; and associated on-farm buildings and structures, including accommodation for full-time farm labour when the size and nature of the operation requires additional employment.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Land Use

Agriculture-Related Uses

Those farm-related commercial and farm-related industrial uses that are small scale and directly related to the farm operation and are required in close proximity to the farm operation.


Alignment The vertical and horizontal position of a road. Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO, 2000)

Environmental Planning

ALIS Aquatic Landscape Inventory System N/A Acronym

Alternative Methods

Alternative ways of carrying out the selected alternative, which may include preliminary design, detail design, construction or maintenance alternatives.

Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO, 2000)


Alternatives to Alternative ways of solving a documented transportation deficiency or taking advantage of an opportunity.



Ambient Noise Level

Also known as “ambient sound level" and “background sound level”, it is the sound level that is present in the environment, produced by noise sources other than the source under impact assessment. Highly intrusive short duration noise caused by a source such as an aircraft fly-over or a train pass-by is excluded from the determination of the background sound level.

Noise Assessment Criteria in Land Use Planning Publication LU-131 (MOE, 1997)

Noise

ANSI Area of Natural or Scientific Interest N/A Acronym AOC Area of Concern N/A Acronym


Oct-06 Page 8 of 72


Aquatic Species

A wildlife species that is a fish, as defined in Section 2 of the Fisheries Act, or a marine plant as defined in Section 47 of that Act. As defined in the Fisheries Act, fish "includes (a) parts of fish; (b) shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and (c) the eggs sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals”.

Species at Risk Act (2002) Terrestrial Ecosystems

Aquatic Species at Risk

Those aquatic species listed under SARA. Includes fish (as defined in Sec. 2 of the Fisheries Act) and marine plants (as defined in Sec. 47 of the Fisheries Act).



Archaeobotany The recovery and identification of plant remains from archaeological contexts, important in the reconstruction of past environments and economies.

Glossary of Archaeological / Anthropological Terms (http://www.archaeolink.com/glossary_of_archaeology.htm)

Archaeology

Archaeological Resources

Includes artifacts, archaeological sites and marine archaeological sites. The identification and evaluation of such resources are based upon archaeological fieldwork undertaken in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Archaeology

Archaeological Site

Any location that shows evidence of the prior presence or influence of human beings. Individual archaeological sites (that collectively form the archaeological resource-base) are distributed in a variety of locational settings across the landscape, being locations or places that are associated with past human activities, endeavours, or events. These sites may occur on or below the modern land surface, or may be submerged under water. The physical forms that these archaeological sites may take include: surface scatters of artifacts; subsurface strata which are of human origin, or incorporate cultural deposits; the remains of structural features; or a combination of these attributes; or “archaeological site” means any property that contains an artifact or any other physical evidence of past human use or activity that is of cultural heritage value or interest.

O. Reg 170/04 - Definitions under the Ontario Heritage Act Archaeology

Archaeological Unit One of the squares excavated on an archaeological site; a pit.


Archaeology


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Archaeology

The science and/or methods concerned with the recovery, description, analysis and explanation of the physical remains of past human cultures. In North America, some archaeologists view their task as the cultural anthropology of the past while others restrict themselves to the culture history or the chronicling of events of a particular area. Archaeology may deal with either prehistory or history—that period since the introduction of written records.


Archaeology

Area of Concern

A geographic area within an area of operations which is adjacent to an identified natural resource feature, land use or value that may be affected by forest management activities. For aquatic values, the width of an Area of Concern (AOC) is slope dependent, as described in the Timber Management Guidelines for the Protection of Fish Habitat (OMNR 1988).

Protocol for the Review of Water Crossings (MNR, April 2005)


Area of Investigation

At a minimum, the area of investigation is: • the area within the existing and/or proposed highway right-

of-way (ROW) and: • for watercourses, includes the area 50 m upstream and 200

m downstream of the limits of the ROW; or • for lakes and ponds, includes the area extending at least 50

m beyond the ROW.

Environmental Guide for Fish and Fish Habitat, Section 4 Field Investigations (MTO, 2006)


Areas of Archaeological Potential

Areas with the likelihood to contain archaeological resources. Criteria for determining archaeological potential are established by the Province, but municipal approaches that achieve the same objectives may also be used. Archaeological potential is confirmed through archaeological fieldwork undertaken in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Archaeology

Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)

Areas of land and water containing natural landscapes or features that have been identified as having life science or earth science values related to protection, scientific study or education.



ARMAC Aquatic Resources Management Advisory Committee that reports to CONFAB. N/A Acronym


Oct-06 Page 10 of 72


Artifact

Any object manufactured, used, moved or otherwise modified by human beings, including all waste materials and by-products of these processes. Occasionally, the term is used in the more restricted sense of a completed object as opposed to the associated detritus; or “artifact” means any object, material or substance that is made, modified, used, deposited or affected by human action and is of cultural heritage value or interest.

O. Reg 170/04 - Definitions under the Ontario Heritage Act Archaeology

Assessor The individual who conducts the Phase I ESA and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in accordance with the corresponding ESA standards, or part of such an assessment.

EPA, O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition

Contaminated Property Management

AST Above Ground Storage Tank N/A Acronym

Avoidance The elimination of adverse effects, through siting or design.

Environmental Assessment Best Practice Guide for Wildlife at Risk in Canada (Environment Canada, 2004)

General




B

Backfill In archaeology, the soil used to refill an excavation unit at the end of the investigations; also known as backdirt.


Archaeology

Background Concentration

The ambient concentration of a chemical in the soil, groundwater, air or sediment in the local environment which is considered non-contaminated.

After Guidance on Site Specific Risk Assessment for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1996)


Backwater

An increase in the water level caused by a downstream constriction or obstruction.

Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999)

Surface Water, Fish and Fish Habitat

Bankfull Discharge

a) The discharge that fills a channel to the point of overflowing.

b) In a single channel stream, the discharge which just fills the channel without flowing onto the floodplains. It is also the characteristic discharge, dominant discharge or channel maintenance discharge used in describing the central geometry (width, depth, capacity). In many North American rivers, the bankfull discharge is equalled or exceeded in two or three years. In incised channels, the characteristic discharge may occur at a lower stage, often related to the depth of regular scouring that occurs in the channel. Channel geometry relationships may be developed with either measure as long as the criteria for measurement are consistent with each sample reach.

a) Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) b) Newbury and Gaboury (1993)

Fish and Fish Habitat, Surface Water

Barrier

Any obstruction impeding the free passage of fish including any physical (e.g., dam, barrier), flow or volume alteration (e.g. velocity, depth), or chemical (water quality), particulate (sediment) or ambient (e.g., light, temperature) deterrent that impedes or otherwise negatively affects the free passage of fish.

After the Fisheries Act (1998) Fish and Fish Habitat

Base Flow

The portion of the stream discharge that is derived from natural storage (i.e. groundwater outflow and the draining of large lakes and swamps or other sources outside the net rainfall that create surface runoff); discharge sustained in a stream channel, no a result of direct runoff, and without the effects of regulation, diversion, or other works of man.

Hunter (1991) Fish and Fish Habitat, Surface Water



Term Definition Reference Related to Base Flow

The flow of water in a watercourse due to soil moisture or ground water.


Fish and Fish Habitat, Surface Water

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to clean up oil spills or remove other pollutants from soil, water, or wastewater; use of organisms such as non-harmful insects to remove agricultural pests or counteract diseases of trees, plants, and garden soil.

United States Environmental Protection Agency


BMP Best Management Practice N/A Acronym

Borden Number

It is a grid system based on the National Topographic Series of maps, published by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. Each map in the series is identified by a pair of capital letters forming a grid sequence that runs from south to north and from east to west. The maps are to the scale of 1 inch to, 8 miles.

Archaeological Survey of Canada (http://www.civilisations.ca/cmc/archeo/oracles/borden/08.htm)

Archaeology

Brownfield Sites

Undeveloped or previously developed properties that may be contaminated. They are usually, but not exclusively, former industrial or commercial properties that may be underutilized, derelict or vacant.



Buffer Area

Sometimes referred to as a “Buffer Zone” or just “Buffer”, it is a variable width of land adjacent to watercourses wetlands or other environmental feature established to protect it from the deleterious effects of adjacent land uses.

Modified from Environment Canada http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/info/pubs/NSKit/e_gloss.htm#B

General

Building and Land Use Permit

A permit issued by MTO under the jurisdiction of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, when a structure is to be placed within the highway corridor control area.


General

Built Heritage Feature

Built heritage features are individual, person-made or modified, parts of a cultural heritage landscape such as buildings or structures of various types, cemeteries, planting and landscaping structures, etc that contribute to the heritage character of the cultural heritage landscape.

Heritage Resources in the Land Use Planning Process (MCL, 2006)

Built Heritage and Cultural Heritage Landscapes

Built Heritage Resources

One or more significant buildings, structures, monuments, installations or remains associated with architectural, cultural, social, political, economic or military history and identified as being important to a community. These resources may be identified through designation or heritage conservation easement under the Ontario Heritage Act, or listed by local, provincial or federal jurisdictions.






Bump-Up

The act of requesting that an environmental assessment initiated as a class EA be required to follow the individual EA process. The change is a result of a decision by the proponent or by the Minister of Environment to require that an individual environmental assessment be conducted.



Burial -Archaeology

Definitions include: 1. The covering-over of an object with earth. 2. The ceremonial entombment of a dead body beneath the

ground or in a chamber. 3. The feature thus created consisting of the individual(s) and

the context. Bundle burial. The (re-)burial of bundled-up disarticulated, defleshed remains. Extended burial. Placement of the individual with arms at the sides and legs extended. Flexed burial. Placement of the individuals with arms and legs bent up against the body. Intrusive burial. The excavation of a grave into a burial pit or mound constructed at an earlier period. Two individuals may thus appear to be in association although they are not contemporaneous. Multiple burials. Collective interment; the placement of two or more bodies within the same grave. Platform burial. See scaffold burial. Primary burial. Placement of the dead in a grave with the flesh at least partially intact such that after further decomposition, the bones remain articulated. Scaffold burial. Placement of the dead on a scaffold above the ground where it may be defleshed by scavengers. The remains may be interred at a later date. Seated burial. Entombment of the deceased in a sitting position. Secondary burial. The final interment of an individual subsequent to an earlier burial in which the flesh decomposed. Secondary burials are therefore not articulated (or frequently improperly articulated) and some bones may have been lost. Supine burial. Placement of the dead on the back with face and palms upward.


Archaeology

Bypass A form of realignment in which the route is intended to go around a particular feature or collection of features.






C

C of A Certificate of Approval N/A Acronym Canadian Fisheries Waters

All waters in the fishing zones of Canada, all water in the territorial sea of Canada and all internal waters of Canada. Fisheries Act (1998) Fish and Fish

Habitat

Carolinian Canada

Carolinian Canada is a non-profit coalition of over 40 government and non-government conservation groups and many individuals to encourage protection of remaining natural areas in the Carolinian region.

After webpage http://www.carolinian.org/WhoWeAre.htm

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Catchbasin A basin of concrete or other material, covered by a grate, and located in a gutter or ditch to intercept stormwater for transmission to a sewer or other outlet.

Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) Surface Water

Catchment Areas The total area of land radiating from a reference point, including all drainage work and stream channels, contributing stormwater runoff.

Glossary of Terms Drainage, (MTO, 1999) Surface Water

CCME Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. N/A Acronym CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (federal). N/A Acronym CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. N/A Acronym CEPA Canadian Environmental Protection Act. N/A Acronym CEPA Canadian Environmental Protection Agency. N/A Acronym

Certificate of Approval

A permit to operate, issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment under the Environmental Protection Act or Ontario Water Resources Act.

No Source Contaminated Property Management

Chain of Title An unbroken history of entitlement to or possession of lands traced back to an original grant from the crown. Chain of title is said to "clouded" where a clear history is not traceable.

Ministry of Mines and Northern Development http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/MNDM/MINES/LANDS/policies/glossary_e.asp#C


Class 1 Area An area with an acoustical environment typical of a major population centre, where the background noise is dominated by the urban hum.


Noise




Class 2 Area

Class 2 Area means an area with an acoustical environment that has qualities representative of both Class 1 and Class 3 Areas, and in which a low ambient sound level, normally occurring only between 23:00 and 07:00 hours in Class 1 Areas, will typically be realized as early as 19:00 hours. Other characteristics which may indicate the presence of a Class 2 Area include: absence of urban hum between 19:00 and 23:00 hours; evening background sound level defined by natural environment and infrequent human activity; and no clearly audible sound from stationary sources other than from those under impact assessment.


Noise

Class 3 Area

Class 3 Area means a rural area with an acoustical environment that is dominated by natural sounds having little or no road traffic, such as the following: a small community with less than 1000 population; Agricultural area; a rural recreational area such as a cottage or a resort area; or a wilderness area.


Noise

Class EA Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities.



Class Environmental Assessment Document

An individual environmental assessment report documenting a planning process that is formally submitted under the EA Act. Once the Class EA document is approved, projects covered by the class can be implemented without having to seek further approvals under the EA Act provided the Class EA process is followed.



Class Environmental Assessment Process

A planning process established for a group of projects in order to ensure compliance with the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act. The EA Act, in Section 13 makes provision for the establishment of Class Environmental Assessments.



Cleanup Guideline 1996

Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario, originally dated June 1996 and later revised by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1996, as amended)


Clear-Span Bridge See: Clear-Span Structure. N/A Fish and Fish Habitat

Clear-Span Structure

A structure (such as a bridge) that completely spans a watercourse without altering the stream bed or banks.

Ontario Operational Statement Habitat Management Program (Version 1.0) (DFO, no date)




Term Definition Reference Related to Coarse-Textured Soil

Soil that contains more than 50 percent by mass of particles that are 75 micrometres or larger in mean diameter in the context of Contaminated Property Management.



Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

A committee of experts that assesses and designates which wild species are in some danger of disappearing from Canada. Its role is to assess the conservation status of species that may be at risk in Canada, to report the results of its assessments, including their reasons and uncertainties, to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC) and to the Canadian public. COSEWIC uses the best available scientific, Aboriginal and community knowledge to assess species. The assessment process is independent and transparent.

COSEWIC website (http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct6/index_e.cfm)

Terrestrial Ecosystems, Fish and Fish Habitat

Compensation The replacement of natural habitat lost through implementation of a project, where implementation techniques and other measures could not alleviate the effects.


General

Compensation

“The replacement of natural habitat, increase in the productivity of existing habitat, or maintenance of fish production by artificial means in circumstances dictated by social and economic conditions, where mitigation techniques and other measures are not adequate to maintain habitats for Canada’s fisheries resources” (DFO Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (1986)).



Compensation Agreement

A memorandum of understanding between MTO and DFO on how a harmful alteration will be compensated.

Environmental Guide for Fish and Fish Habitat (MTO, 2006)


Compensation Plan Detailed project specific mitigation and compensation measures that form the basis for the Fisheries Act Authorization.



Compensation Strategy

Outline of project specific mitigation and compensation measures that forms the basis for the Compensation Plan.



Comprehensive Fisheries Assessment

The procedures and requirements as defined in Step 5 of Annex 2 used to determine the likelihood that the project will result in a HADD to be provided by MTO.






Confirmatory Sampling Program

A sampling program designed to verify the presence or absence of contamination on a property, and to delineate its extent.

A Federal Approach to Contaminated Sites (Contaminated Sites Management Working Group, 2005)


Conservation Priority Species

Bird species in southern Ontario that have been identified by Bird Studies Canada as species of conservation priority for planning consideration. The listed species are based on a set of criteria encompassing such factors as geographic range, jurisdictional area and habitat requirements.

Conservation Priorities for the Birds of Southern Ontario – unpublished (Bird Studies Canada Report 1999)

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Conserved

The identification, protection, use and/or management of cultural heritage and archaeological resources in such a way that their heritage values, attributes and integrity are retained. This may be addressed through a conservation plan or heritage impact assessment.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Cultural Heritage

Constructed Wetlands

Storage areas that have been designed and constructed to provide wetland function. Such facilities have been reported to be effective methods for stormwater quality control.


Contaminant Any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration, radiation or combination of any that results directly or indirectly from human activities that causes or may cause an adverse effect.

Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1990) General

Contaminated Property See: Contaminated Site. N/A


Contaminated Site

A contaminated site is defined as a site at which substances occur at concentrations: (1) above background levels and pose or are likely to pose an immediate or long-term hazard to human health or the environment, or (2) exceeding levels specified in policies and regulations.






Contamination

The presence of a substance or a condition that may adversely affect human health or the natural environment (e.g. soil, water, air, land). Contamination criteria shall be established with regard to appropriate regulatory requirements and related policy documents. “Contamination” as used in the Phase I ESA and Phase II ESA standards in relation to a Phase I EAS or Phase II ESA of a property, includes the presence of a contaminant in the soil, sediment, or groundwater of a property in concentrations that exceed the maximum concentrations set out in applicable site condition standards prescribed under Part IX (as defined in O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition).



Contamination Overview Study

A study designed to provide a general overview of sources of actual or potential contamination on a group of properties, or within a large area.

Environmental Guide to Contaminated Property Identification and Management (MTO, 2006)


Corridor A band of variable width between two locations. In transportation studies a corridor is a defined area where a new or improved transportation facility might be located.



Corridor Planning The planning and implementation of policies that govern the areas adjacent to highway system.



COS Contamination Overview Study N/A Acronym

COSEWIC “COSEWIC” means the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. N/A Acronym

CPS Contract Preparation System. N/A Acronym CONFAB Canada-Ontario Fisheries Advisory Board. N/A Acronym

Critical Habitat

The habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species.

Species at Risk Act (2002) Terrestrial Ecosystems

Crown Forest A forest ecosystem or part of a forest ecosystem that is on land vested in Her Majesty in Right of Ontario.

Crown Forest Sustainability Act (1994)


CSA Canadian Standards Association. N/A Acronym




Cultural Heritage Landscape

A defined geographical area of heritage significance that has been modified by human activities and is valued by a community. It involves a grouping(s) of individual heritage features such as structures, spaces, archaeological sites and natural elements, which together form a significant type of heritage form, distinctive from that of its constituent elements or parts. Examples may include, but are not limited to, heritage conservation districts designated under the Ontario Heritage Act; and villages, parks, gardens, battlefields, main streets and neighborhoods, cemeteries, trail ways and industrial complexes of cultural heritage value.



Cultural Heritage Resource

Any resource or feature of archaeological, historical, cultural, or traditional use significance. This may include archaeological resource, built heritage or cultural heritage landscapes. Heritage resources and features are usually identified by federal or provincial agencies, municipalities, municipal heritage committees (sic) or other equivalent heritage groups, and local and regional band councils. Some heritage resources and features are legally protected, and can be found in official sources. Some may only be inventoried or listed, either officially, or by interested stakeholders. Others have never been identified, although this does not necessarily diminish their cultural significance. Cultural heritage resources include the following….”, (the text then provides definitions for Archaeological Resources, Identified Archaeological Site, Sacred and Traditional Use Sites, Cemeteries/Burial Grounds, Built Heritage Resource, and Cultural Heritage Landscape).

Heritage Resources in the Land Use Planning Process (MCL, 2006)


Culvert A conduit, usually covered by fill, whose primary function is to convey surface water through an embankment.



Cumulative Effects These are effects that are likely to result from the project in combination with other projects or activities that have been or will be carried out.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, ss.16 (1)(a) General

Current Property Holding

Property owned and/or leased by the Ministry, and other property that the Ministry controls, including property upon which construction is occurring and property which the Ministry has a temporary interest in.

No Source Contaminated Property Management




D

Dam

Drainage works forwarding, holding back or diverting water, including most bridges, culverts, stream diversions, causeways, embankments, retaining walls, revetments, municipal drains and dykes.

Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (1990)


Datum Point

In archaeology, a datum point refers to an arbitrarily-defined spot on or near an archaeological site which is used as a point of reference for the mapping of the site and for the plotting of the distribution of the artifacts which are recovered from it.


Archaeology

dBA Decibel scale “dB” with the “A”-weighing factor – see Decibel Scale. N/A Acronym

DCR Design and Construction Report N/A Acronym

Decibel Scale

The unit of sound measurement is the decibel. The scale of sound intensity (the loudness of a noise) is logarithmic, not linear. Therefore, a one-decibel unit change represents a 10-fold increase in the sound intensity; a 3-unit change represents a 1,000-fold increase. "A" representing a weighing factor applied to reflect how the human ear would hear and interpret the sound being measured. The human ear and brain interpret the intensity of a sound partially based on its pitch.

Consultation Paper on Updating Noise Requirements in the Industrial Regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ministry of Labour, 2005)

Noise

Decommissioning The closure of an industrial facility followed by the removal of process equipment, buildings and structures.



Deleterious Substance

Any substance that, if added to any water, would degrade or alter or form part of a process of degradation or alteration of the quality of the water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use by man of fish that frequent that water, or b) any water that contains a substance in such quantity or concentration, or has been treated, processed or changed by heat or other means, from a natural state that it would, if added to any other water, degrade or alter or form part of a process of degradation or alteration of the quality of water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use of fish by man that frequent that water.

Fisheries Act (1998) Fish and Fish Habitat




Deposit Deposit means any discharging, spraying, releasing, spilling, leaking, seeping, pouring, emitting, emptying, throwing, dumping or placing.

Fisheries Act (1998) Surface Water, Fish and Fish Habitat

Designation

Formal identification of the right-of-way for a proposed highway, through the provisions of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act. This route is registered in the appropriate land registry office, so that those wishing to purchase or develop property will be aware of the intended use.



Destruction of Fish Habitat

Any permanent change to fish habitat that renders it completely unsuitable for the production of fish, regardless of the means employed in causing the change (e.g. by removal, infilling, blockage).

Fisheries Act (1998) Surface Water, Fish and Fish Habitat

Detail Design

The final stage in the design process in which the engineering and environmental components of preliminary design are refined and details concerning, for example, property, drainage, utility relocations and quantity estimate requirements are prepared, and contract documents and drawings are produced.


General

DFO Fisheries and Oceans Canada (formally Department of Fisheries and Oceans). N/A Acronym

Discharge, Contaminant

The unintentional or intentional spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, depositing, emitting, emptying, or dumping of contamination into or on any land, water or air.

Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1990)


Displacement For Built Heritage and Cultural Heritage Landscapes, it refers to the displacement through removal or demolition of the cultural heritage resources and, or their setting.

Guidelines on the Man-Made Heritage Component of Environmental Assessments (MCL, 1980)


Disposition The transferring of land by the Crown to a person or company.

Ministry of Mines and Northern Development http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/MNDM/MINES/LANDS/policies/glossary_e.asp#C


Disruption

For Built Heritage and Cultural Heritage Landscapes, it refers to the disruption by isolation or the introduction of physical, visual, audible or atmospheric elements that are not in keeping with the character of the cultural heritage resources and, or their setting.

Guidelines on the Man-Made Heritage Component of Environmental Assessments (MCL, 1980)


Disruption of Fish Habitat

Any changes to fish habitat occurring for a limited period of time that reduces its capacity to support one or more life processes of fish.

DFO’s Decision Framework (1998) Fish and Fish Habitat



Term Definition Reference Related to Draft Plans of Subdivision

A plan of the proposed land development area that shows the lots that are to be severed from the original property and sold as individual parcels of land.



Drainage Basin Synonyms: Catchment area, hydrologic basin; river lake; ground-water basin. The area tributary to or draining to a lake, stream, reservoir, or other body of water.


Drainage Works

Includes a drain constructed by any means, including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain, reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof.

Drainage Act (1990) Surface Water




E

EA Environmental Assessment. N/A Acronym

EA Act Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (as amended by S.O. 1996 c.27), RSO 1980. N/A Acronym

Ecological Function

The natural processes, products or services that living and non-living environments provide or perform within or between species, ecosystems and landscapes. These may include biological, physical and socio-economic interactions.



Ecological Land Classification System

The system for the consistent description, identification, classification and mapping of ecological land units in Southern Ontario.

Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario. (MNR, 1998)


Ecological Risk

The potential for adverse effects on living organisms associated with pollution of the environment by effluents, emissions, wastes, or accidental chemical releases; energy use; or the depletion of natural resources.



ELC Ecological Land Classification System N/A Acronym

Emergency Response

Activities undertaken when an abandoned material is discovered or a spill occurs on a Provincial highway or other MTO property. For the purposes of this document, emergency response does not include other activities associated with vehicle accidents or other incidents.


General

Emergency Work

Construction or repair of transportation infrastructure which has been damaged as a result of an accident, natural catastrophe, or sudden facility failure, etc. that is urgently required to restore safety and use of the facility.


General

Emergency Work

Construction or repair of transportation infrastructure that has been damaged as a result of an accident, natural catastrophe, or sudden facility failure, etc. that is urgently required to restore safety and use of the facility.



Endangered Species A wildlife species that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Species at Risk Act Registry

Glossary (2003)


Endangered Species

A species that is listed or categorized as an “Endangered Species” on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ official species at risk list, as updated and amended from time to time.






Endemic A species or taxon naturally occurring only in a particular geographical range.

Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (MNR, 2000)


Enhancement Improvements applied to any type of fish habitat to provide better conditions for production and maintenance of the fisheries resource.

After the definition of “development” in the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO, 1986)


Environment

As defined in Section 1(c) of the EA Act (as amended by S.O. 1996 c.27), RSO 1980: (i) air, land or water, (ii) plant and animal life, including man, (iii) the social, economic and cultural conditions that influence the life of man or a community, (iv) any building structure, machine or other device or thing made by man, (v) any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration or radiation resulting directly or indirectly from the activities of man, or (vi) any part or combination of the foregoing and the interrelationships between any two or more of them, in or of Ontario.


General

Environmental Effect

A change in the existing conditions of the environment which may have either beneficial (positive) or detrimental (negative) effects.


General

Environmental Assessment

In respect of a project, an assessment of the environmental effects of the project that is conducted in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and regulations. Environmental assessment is a process for identifying project and environment interactions, predicting environmental effects, identifying mitigation measures, evaluating significance, reporting and following-up to verify accuracy and effectiveness. Environmental assessment is used as a planning tool to help guide decision-making, as well as project design and implementation.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2002)


Environmental Site Assessment

An investigation in relation to land to determine the environmental condition of a property, and includes a Phase I ESA and Phase II ESA.

EPA, O. Reg. 153/04 - Records Of Site Condition


Environmental Study Report

A report that documents the alternatives studied, methods used and the recommended alternative, completed as a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Act.


Environmental Planning and Design




Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Those areas identified by any agency or level of government which contain natural features, ecological functions or cultural, historical or visual amenities which are susceptible to disturbance from human activities and which warrant protection.


General

EPA Environmental Protection Act N/A Acronym ERD Environmental Reference for Highway Design N/A Acronym

Erosion The wearing away of soil and/or rock by weathering, mass wasting, and the action of streams, glaciers, waves, wind and underground water.

Dictionary of Geological Terms (1983)

Erosion and Sediment Control

Erosion Protection Works

Measures that provide protection against erosion. These include grade modifications, lining material/cover work, bank drainage, buffers strips, runoff diversions, drop structures, energy dissipators, stilling basins, chutes, retaining walls, or check dams.


Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control

ESA Environmental Site Assessment N/A Acronym ESAs Environmentally Sensitive Areas N/A Acronym

Excavation In archaeology, the digging up and removing artifacts and features from an archaeological site in order to analyze and predict past human behaviour.


Archaeology

Excess Materials

Materials which are surplus to the requirements of a highway construction or maintenance operation. These materials can be managed through re-use, disposal as fill, open-burning or disposal as waste (Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities, 2000). Alternatively, any construction related material that is surplus or unsuitable to the project and must be managed through reuse or disposal. This may include excess earth, rock, granular, natural and manufactured wood, asphalt, concrete, metal etc. that is not a waste normally regulated under the Environmental Protection Act. If disposal were the only option, these materials would require disposal as non-hazardous solid industrial waste under O. Reg. 347/90.



Ex-Situ Treatment

The contaminated material is excavated or removed from its location on the site either permanently or temporarily while it is treated. Ex situ treatment can occur on the contaminated site (i.e., by a mobile technology) or off-site (by mobile technology or at a fixed facility).






External Agencies Include Federal departments and agencies, Provincial ministries and agencies, conservation authorities, municipalities, Crown corporations or other agencies other than MTO.



Extinct Any species formally native to Ontario that no longer exists. Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (MNR, 2000)


Extinct Species A wildlife species that no longer exists. Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)


Extirpated Any native species no longer existing in the wild in Ontario, but existing elsewhere in the wild.



Extirpated Species Extirpated species means a wildlife species that no longer exits in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere in the wild. Species at Risk Act (2002)


Extirpated Species A wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere in the wild.

Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)





F

FA Fisheries Act (federal). N/A Acronym

Feature

In archaeology, a feature is something distinctive encountered on the ground surface or during the course of excavations that is not artifactual in the usual sense. Its significance may lie not in the object or objects that constitute the feature, but rather in the relationship of the objects to each other. Thus while a cobble, fleck of ash or fragment of burned bone would mean little if found in isolation, a concentration of bone and ash surrounded by a circle of cobbles would suggest a cooking area, and this patterning would constitute the feature. Other examples of features could include post moulds, storage pits, a garbage dump, a cache of tools, a flint knapping area, a collapsed dwelling or a burial.


Archaeology

Federal Land

a) Land that belongs to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or that Her Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above that land; b) the internal waters of Canada and the territorial sea of Canada; and c) reserves and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band under the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves and lands.

Species at Risk Act (2002) General

Fill

Earth, sand, gravel, building materials, storage materials, rubble, rubbish, garbage or any other material whether similar to or different from any of the aforementioned materials, whether originating on the site or elsewhere, used or capable of being used to raise, lower or in any way affect the contours of the ground, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

Conservation Authorities Act (1990) General

Findspot In archaeology, the location in which an artifact is found.


Archaeology

First Row Receivers

First row receivers are those adjacent receivers where noise level differences are imperceptible (within 3dBA) from the noisiest receiver.





Fish

Fish includes (a) parts of fish; (b) shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and (c) the eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals.”


Fish

“Includes parts of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and the eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals.”(Fisheries Act, Sec. 2).



Fish Habitat

Fish habitat is defined as the “spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration area on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes”. “Fish habitat is comprised of those physical, chemical and biological attributes of the environment which are required by fish to carry out their life processes (e.g., spawning, nursery, rearing, feeding, over wintering, migration). It consists of those freshwater, estuarine and marine environments that directly or indirectly support fish stocks or fish populations that sustain, or have the potential to sustain, subsistence, commercial or recreational fishing activities.”


Fish Habitat

Fish habitat is defined in the federal Fisheries Act as “…spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes…” (Sec. 34(1)). Fish habitat is comprised of those physical, chemical and biological attributes of the environment which are required by fish to carry out their life processes such as spawning, nursery, rearing, feeding, over wintering and migration (Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat, DFO 1986).

Protocol for the Review of Water Crossings (MNR, 2005)


Fish Habitat

"Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes." (Fisheries Act, Sec. 34(l)).






Fishery(ies)

“Fishery” includes the area, locality, place or station in or on which a pound, seine, net, weir or other fishing appliance is used, set, placed or located, and the area, tract or stretch of water in or from which fish may be taken by the said pound, seine, net, weir or other fishing appliance, and also the pound, seine, net, weir, or other fishing appliance used in connection therewith.


Fisheries Assessment Specialist

Undertakes the Comprehensive Fisheries Assessment as outlined in Annex 2 of the Fisheries Protocol.



Fisheries Contracts Specialist

Works on projects where there is a HADD to ensure the proper implementation of the terms and conditions of the Fisheries Act Authorization including the Compensation Plan, as included in the construction contract. The Fisheries Contracts Specialist may work for either the Contract Administrator or the Contractor.



Flood Plain The area, usually low lands adjoining a watercourse, which has been, or may be, covered by flood water.


Flooding The depth of flowing water that can cause damages to structures, or will threaten the safety of the public.


Floodplain See: Flood Plain.

Fluvial Of or pertaining to rivers; produced by the action of a stream or river.

Dictionary of Geological Terms (1983) Surface Water

FOI Freedom of Information N/A Acronym Freedom of Information Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act N/A General

Freeway Freeways are controlled access median divided highway facilities with grade separated crossings and interchanges (i.e. QEW and 400 series).


General

Fugitive Emissions A gas, liquid, solid, vapour, fume, mist, fog or dust that escapes from process equipment, from emission control equipment or from a product.

Occupational Health and Safety Act O. Reg., 860 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)


Full-Depth The restoration of soil quality to the full extent of the contamination.



Future Ambient Noise Level

Future Ambient is the ambient noise level projected 10 years after construction.




Term Definition Reference Related to Future Noise Levels

Future noise levels (Leq (24 hr), are based on traffic volumes for a time period at least 10 years after the completed construction of the undertaking. The higher of the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) or Summer Average Daily Traffic (SADT) is used.





G

Generator Registration Report

A document that identifies and registers with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment all hazardous wastes and non-hazardous liquid industrial wastes (i.e. subject wastes) produced by waste generators.

EPA, O. Reg. 347 - General - Waste Management


Generic Criteria

The criteria for soil, groundwater and sediment quality listed in Tables A to D of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Guideline for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario, 1997and the criteria for surface water quality listed in the MOE Ontario Drinking Water Objectives, 1994.

Guideline for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1997) Ontario Drinking Water Objectives (MOE, 1994)


Geomorphology

The field of earth science that studies the origin and distribution of landforms, with a special emphasis on the nature of erosional processes; traditionally, a field shared by geology and geography.

Environmental Geography (Marsh, 2000).

General

Good Forestry Practices

The proper implementation of harvest, renewal and maintenance activities known to be appropriate for the forest and environmental conditions under which they are being applied and that minimizes detriments for forest values including significant ecosystems, important fish and wildlife habitat, soil and water quality and quantity, forest productivity and health and the aesthetics and recreational opportunities of the landscape.

Forestry Act (1985) Terrestrial Ecosystems, Land Use

Grade Separation A vertical separation between a road/road or road/rail crossing. Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO, 2000)

General

Greenbelt Area

As defined by Ontario Regulation 59/05, is 1.8 million acres of land stretching from the Niagara Peninsula in the southwest to Rice Lake in the east. The Greenbelt includes the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. It also includes areas designated as Protected Countryside. The Protected Countryside is comprised of: the Natural Heritage System (natural-heritage and water-resource systems necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, and indigenous species and ecosystems); the Agricultural System (prime agricultural land, specialty-crop land and other rural areas in the Golden Horseshoe); and Settlement Areas (land designated as towns, villages and hamlets).

After, The Greenbelt Area (MMAH, 2005) (http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_23409_1.html)

General

GRN Generator Registration Number N/A Acronym




Ground Water Feature

Refers to water-related features in the earth’s subsurface, including recharge/discharge areas, water tables, aquifers and unsaturated zones that can be defined by surface and subsurface hydrogeologic investigations.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Groundwater

Groundwater Recharge Area

The surface area of land that acts as a catchment to supply a body of water or an aquifer with ground water. Clean Water Act (1989) Groundwater

Groundwater Intrinsic Susceptibility

Aquifer's intrinsic vulnerability to contamination, including both human and natural water quality impacts. Intrinsic susceptibility, in its simplest form, is a measure of the natural protection of an aquifer and to some degree surface water resulting from overlying layers with low permeability.

Derived from Groundwater Studies 2001/2002,Technical Terms of Reference (MOE, 2001)

Groundwater

GRR Generator Registration Report N/A Acronym




H

Habitat

Includes: a) In respect of aquatic species, spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, migration and any other areas on which aquatic species depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes, or areas where aquatic species formerly occurred and have the potential to be reintroduced; and b) in respect of other wildlife species, the area or type of site where an individual or wildlife species naturally occurs or depends on directly or indirectly in order to carry out its life processes or formerly occurred and has the potential to be reintroduced.

Species at Risk Act (2002)

Fish and Fish Habitat, Terrestrial Ecosystems

HADD Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of fish habitat N/A Acronym Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of Fish Habitat

Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of fish habitat. Any change in fish habitat that reduces its capacity to support one or more life processes of fish.


Hazardous and Liquid Industrial Waste

Any waste, or combination of wastes, of a solid, liquid, contained gaseous, or semisolid form which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness; or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed. Such wastes may include, but are not limited to, those which are toxic, corrosive, flammable, irritants, strong sensitizers, persistent in nature, assimilated, or concentrated in tissue, or which generate pressure through decomposition, heat, or other means.



Hazardous Substances

Substances that, individually, or in combination with other substances, are normally considered to pose a danger to public health, safety and the environment. These substances generally include a wide array of materials that are toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, radioactive or pathological.


Heritage Attributes The principal features, characteristics, context and appearance that contribute to the cultural heritage significance of a protected heritage property.






High Risk Projects Projects where the residual negative effects are of higher impacts in highly sensitive habitats where the project is likely to result in a HADD or where species at risk habitat are present.



Highway Design Report

A report that documents any design of highway works.


Highway Drainage System

Drainage works used to convey and treat stormwater runoff from the highway surface and discharge it to a receiver or pass stream flow across the highway right-of-way.


Highway Facilities

Any facility associated with a provincial highway including patrol yards, truck inspection stations, winter maintenance facilities, rest areas, commuter parking lots, travel information centres and service centres.


General

Highway Infrastructure

The systems, structures and elements that constitute the highway transportation network.

Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) General

Highway Right-of-Way See: Right-of-Way Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO,

1999) General

Highway Sub-Grade

Portion of the highway structure located below the roadway surface.


Highway Works Any part of the highway structure. Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) General

Highways

Highways are roadways under the jurisdiction of MTO including King's highways, secondary highways and tertiary roads. This includes all components within the associated right-of-way, e.g., structures, drainage works, traffic and safety devices.


General

Human Health Risk Assessment

The evaluation of the probability (including likelihood and severity) of adverse heath consequences, and the accompanying uncertainties, to humans caused by the presence of a chemical at a given site.

Guidance on Site specific Risk Assessment for Use at Contaminated sites in Ontario (MOE, 1996)


Hydric Soil Soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favour the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation.

Natural Heritage Reference Manual (MNR, 1999)

Terrestrial Ecosystems, Erosion and Sediment Control

Hydrologic Function

The functions of the hydrological cycle that include the occurrence, circulation, distribution and chemical and physical properties of water on the surface of the land, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere, and water’s interaction with the environment including its relation to living things.




Term Definition Reference Related to Hydrology

Science dealing with the occurrence, distribution and circulation of water on the earth, including precipitation, stormwater runoff and groundwater.


Hydrophytic Vegetation

Any plant growing in water on a substrate that is at least periodically anaerobic or low in oxygen, as a result of high water content.






I

IAO Insurers’ Advisory Organization. N/A Acronym IBA Important Bird Areas. N/A Acronym Impact Assessment (Drainage Design)

The process of assessing the potential for damages to property or to public safety as a result of extreme events that are in excess of the design condition(s).


Impervious A term applied to a material through which water cannot pass, or through which water passes with great difficulty.


Important Bird Areas

A site providing essential habitat for one or more species of breeding or non-breeding birds as identified by the Important Bird Area program (an international conservation initiative coordinated by BirdLife International. The Canadian co-partners for the IBA program are Bird Studies Canada (BSC) and the Canadian Nature Federation (CNF).

Bird Studies Canada website http://www.bsc-eoc.org/bscmain.html


Incident

An event such as a spill, discharge, emission, release or escape of a material, pollutant, contaminant, deleterious substance or dangerous good as defined in the following legislation: Environmental Protection Act, Fisheries Act, Gasoline Handling Act, Ontario Pesticides Act, Ontario Water Resources Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act.

After MTO General Conditions of Contract General

Indigenous Species that have originated naturally in a particular region or environment.


Terrestrial Ecosystem

Individual Environmental Assessment

An environmental assessment for an undertaking to which Assessment the Environmental Assessment Act (provincial) applies and which requires formal review and approval under the Act.



Inlet A storm sewer inlet consisting of a vertical opening in the face of a curb into which gutter flow passes.


In-Situ Treatment Remediation technologies are applied in place without excavating soils and sediments, or extracting groundwater.



Interchange The intersection between two roadways at different levels with connecting ramps for traffic turning between them.


General




Isolated Find The recovery; usually from the surface, of a single artifact with no other artifacts in association.


Archaeology




J, K




L

LACAC Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee Land Development Proposal

A proposal to develop land. Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) General

Land Development

A parcel of land that is to be altered from its current state by the construction of a structure(s).


Land Use

The surface condition of a catchment area (e.g. natural, farm land, residential properties, etc.

Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) Land Use

Landfarming The biodegradation of petroleum refining wasted by naturally accruing soil bacteria by means of controlled application of the wastes to land followed by periodic tilling.



Lentic Related to still waters such as ponds and lakes. Dictionary of Physical Geography (Whittow, 1984)


Leq 24 Hour See: Noise Level (Leq 24 hr) N/A Acronym

Letter of Advice (LOA)

In cases where it has been determined that harmful effects to fish habitat can be avoided through project relocation, redesign or mitigation, letters of advice may be issued which set out measures aimed at ensuring that harmful effects do not occur. LOAs do not constitute an authorization.



Letter of Intent (LOI)

A non-binding letter from a proponent to DFO that discusses and establishes specific terms and conditions of an authorization.



Listed Species “List” means the List of Wildlife Species at Risk set out in Schedule 1. “Listed” means listed on the List. Species at Risk Act (2002)


Littoral Zone The biogeographic zone in a body of fresh water where light penetration is sufficient for the growth of plants; the intertidal zone of the seashore.

US Geological Survey Glossary http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm


Locally Significant Wetlands

These are wetlands designated at the municipal-level and evaluated as non-provincially significant using the Ontario Wetlands Evaluation System (OWES) that scores the wetland under specific Biological, Social, Hydrological and Special Features criteria.

No Source Terrestrial Ecosystems




Lotic Relating to or living in moving water, such as a river or stream. US Geological Survey Glossary http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm


Low Risk Projects

Projects with a low potential for impacts to fish habitat, in areas of low sensitivity or where mitigation, including appropriate design modification, will prevent potential impacts from resulting in a HADD. No Species at Risk habitat is identified.






M

MCL Ontario Ministry of Culture N/A General

Meander One of a series of sinuous curves, bends or loops produced in a floodplain of a mature stream. Rosgen, (1991)


Meander Belt The width of the train of active meanders in a river valley. Environmental Geography. (Marsh, 2000).


Median The portion of a divided highway separating oncoming traffic (space, barrier or combination).


General

Medium and Fine-Textured Soils

Soil that contains more than 50 percent by mass of particles that are smaller than 75 micrometres in mean diameter in the context of Contaminated Property Management.



Midden A heap or stratum of refuse generally located near a habitation site.


Archaeology

Migratory Bird Means a migratory bird referred to in the convention, and includes the sperm, eggs, embryos, tissue cultures and parts of the bird.

Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994)


Minimum Distance Separation Formulae

Formulae developed by the Province to separate uses so as to reduce incompatibility concerns about odour from livestock facilities.


Mitigating Measure A measure that is incorporated into a project to reduce, eliminate or ameliorate detrimental environmental effects.


General

Mitigation Actions taken during the planning, design, construction and operation of works or undertakings to alleviate potential adverse effects on the productive capacity of fish habitats.

The Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO, 1986)





Mitigation

1) In respect of a project, the elimination, reduction or control of the adverse environmental effects of the project, and includes restitution for any damage to the environment caused by such effects through replacement, restoration, compensation or any other means. 2) Actions taken during the planning, design, construction and operation of works or undertakings to alleviate potential adverse effects.

1) Canadian Environmental Assessment Act ss.2 2) The Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO, 1986)

General

Mitigation Actions taken during the planning, design, construction and operation of works and undertakings to alleviate potential adverse effects on the productive capacity of fish habitats.



MMA See: MMAH N/A Acronym

MMAH Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (formerly Ministry of Municipal Affairs – MMA) N/A Acronym

MNR Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources N/A Acronym

Moderate Risk Projects

Projects where the residual negative effects are medium to high in moderate to highly sensitive habitats.



MOE Ontario Ministry of the Environment N/A Acronym

MTO

a) Ministry of Transportation (Ontario); b) Can also include Service Providers - (Consultants, contractors and contract administrators that conduct work for MTO on a contract basis).

a) N/A b) MTO/DFO/OMNR Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Transportation Undertakings (2006)

a) Acronym b) Fish and Fish Habitat

MTO Environmental Standards and Practices

A comprehensive set of technical guidance documents, addressing all environmental disciplines including fisheries, and developed in partnership with DFO, OMNR, and others. The fisheries component, will compliment the Protocol by providing “how to” guidance to MTO and it service providers.


General

Municipality A local government commonly referred to as a city or town. Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999)





N

National Park Park refers to a national park of Canada or a national marine park of Canada named and described in Schedule 1 of the Act. Canada National Parks Act (2000) Designated Areas

Natural Core Areas Areas identified in the ORM Conservation Plan as having the greatest concentrations of significant features and functions and important in maintaining the integrity of the Moraine as a whole.

Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area (MMAH, 2002)

Environmental Planning, Designated Areas

Natural Drainage System A non-constructed drainage system. Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO,

1999) Surface Water

Natural Environmental

The air, land, and water, or any combination or part thereof, of the Province of Ontario.



Natural Heritage Features and Areas

Features and areas, including significant wetlands, significant coastal wetlands, fish habitat, significant woodlands south and east of the Canadian Shield, significant valleylands south and east of the Canadian Shield, significant habitat of endangered species and threatened species, significant wildlife habitat, and significant areas of natural and scientific interest, which are important for their environmental and social values as a legacy of the natural landscapes of an area.


Environmental Planning, Designated Areas

Natural Heritage System

A system made up of natural heritage features and areas, linked by natural corridors which are necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, viable populations of indigenous species and ecosystems. These systems can include lands that have been restored and areas with the potential to be restored to a natural state.


Environmental Planning Designated Areas

Navigable Waters Includes canals and any other body of water created or altered as a result of any work.

Navigable Waters Protection Act (1985) Surface Water

NEC Niagara Escarpment Commission N/A Acronym




Negative Impacts

Means: a. in regard to policy 2.2, degradation to the quality and

quantity of water, sensitive surface water features and sensitive ground water features, and their related hydrologic functions, due to single, multiple or successive development or site alteration activities;

b. in regard to fish habitat, the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat, except where, in conjunction with the appropriate authorities, it has been authorized under the Fisheries Act, using the guiding principle of no net loss of productive capacity; and

c. in regard to other natural heritage features and areas, degradation that threatens the health and integrity of the natural features or ecological functions for which an area is identified due to single, multiple or successive development or site alteration activities.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) General

Nest For a migratory bird, the nest includes parts of the nest. Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994)


Net Gain An increase in the productive capacity of habitats for selected fisheries brought about by determined government and public efforts to conserve, restore and develop habitats.



New Route New highway created where no highway facility existed previously.


Transportation Planning

Niagara Escarpment

The Niagara Escarpment includes a variety of topographic features and land uses extending 725 km from Queenston on the Niagara River to the islands off Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. In 1990, the Niagara Escarpment was designated as a Biosphere Reserve.

Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005) Land Use, Designated Areas

No Net Loss

A working principle by which the DFO strives to balance unavoidable habitat losses with habitat replacement on a project by project basis so that further reduction to Canada’s fisheries resources due to habitat loss or damage may be prevented


Noise Level Noise levels are the 24 hour equivalent sound level (Leq 24 hr) expressed on the A-weighted decibel scale (dBA).





Noise Sensitive Areas

There is no minimum number of residences that defines a Noise Sensitive Area (NSA). Therefore, all noise sensitive land uses, regardless of size or location (urban or rural), will be assessed for application of noise control measures. NSA’s must have an outdoor living area (OLA) associated with the residential unit. The following land uses, with OLA’s associated with them, would qualify as NSA’s under the above criteria: Private homes such as single family residences (owned or rental); Townhouses (owned or rental); Multiple unit buildings, such as apartments with OLA’s for use by all occupants; Hospitals, nursing homes for the aged, where there are OLA’s for the patients; Educational facilities and day care centres, where there are OLA’s for students; Campgrounds that provide overnight accommodation; Hotels / motels where there are OLA’s (i.e. swimming pool area, etc.) for visitors. Land uses listed below, by themselves do not qualify as NSA’s: Apartment balconies above ground floor; Churches; Cemeteries; Parks and picnic areas which are not inherently part of a NSA; All commercial; All industrial.


Non-Potable Groundwater Site Condition Standards

The full depth generic site condition standards prescribed under section 37 of O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition in relation to the contaminants in that section, or the stratified soil condition standards prescribed under Sec. 39 in relation to the contaminants prescribed under that section.



Non-Standard Special Provisions

Environmental non-standard Special Provision (referred to as either NSSPs or NSPs) have wording for project-specific environmental protection requirements in construction and maintenance contracts.


General

Normal Farm Practices

A practice, as defined in the Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998, that is conducted in a manner consistent with proper and acceptable customs and standards as established and followed by similar agricultural operations under similar circumstances; or makes use of innovative technology in a manner consistent with proper advanced farm management practices. Normal farm practices shall be consistent with the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and regulations made under that Act.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Land-Use

NSA Noise Sensitive Area N/A Noise NSSP Non-standard Special Provision N/A General NSP Non-standard Special Provision N/A General




O

O. Reg. Ontario Regulation N/A Acronym

Oak Ridges Moraine

The Oak Ridges Moraine is an irregular ridge that stretches 160 km from the Trent River in the east to the Niagara Escarpment to the west. The Moraine divides the watersheds draining south into western Lake Ontario from those draining north into Georgian Bay. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act (2001) and Conservation Plan identify regulations and policies governing the future land uses on the Moraine.

Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act (2001)

Land Use, Designated Areas

OFAT

Ontario Flow Assessment Techniques is a GIS based tool to automatically estimate flow information for watersheds in Ontario. This model is able to delineate watershed area above any point selected on a watercourse and provide an estimate of flows.

Protocol for the Review of Water Crossings (MNR, April 2005)


Official Plans

A municipal planning document that sets out general policies for current and future land use for the entire municipality.

Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999) Land Use

OLA Outdoor Living Area N/A Acronym

Onsite Isolation and Containment

Involves in-situ isolation and containment of contaminated material, or excavation and placement within an engineered containment system located elsewhere on the property.






Ontario Wetland Evaluation System

The OMNR is responsible for determining which wetlands and wetland complexes (groups of individual wetland units which are functionally related in some important manner) are provincially significant, on the basis of evaluation procedures established by the Province, as amended from time to time. The OWES is used in conjunction with provincial scoring criteria to identify provincially significant wetlands and wetland complexes. Wetlands can be identified and evaluated by other qualified individuals provided they use the approved methodology and have received training in the use of the OWES. In these cases OMNR is responsible for reviewing and approving the evaluations. Based on the scoring, wetlands are considered to be either provincially significant or not. Non-provincially significant wetlands may however be considered regionally or locally significant within the planning area in which they occur, provided that the planning authority has a rationale for such a designation.



OPSD Ontario Provincial Standard Drawing Ontario Provincial Standards for Roads and Public Works Acronym

OPS Ontario Provincial Standard Specification Ontario Provincial Standards for Roads and Public Works Acronym

OPSS Ontario Provincial Standard Specification Ontario Provincial Standards for Roads and Public Works Acronym

Ordinary High Water Mark

The usual or average level to which a body of water rises at its highest point and remains for sufficient time so as to change the characteristics of the land. In flowing waters (rivers, streams) this refers to the "active channel/bank-full level" which is often the 1:2 year flood flow return level. In inland lakes, wetlands or marine environments it refers to those parts of the water body bed and banks that are frequently flooded by water so as to leave a mark on the land and where the natural vegetation changes from predominately aquatic vegetation to terrestrial vegetation (excepting water tolerant species). For reservoirs this refers to normal high operating levels (Full Supply Level). For the Great Lakes this refers to the 80th percentile elevation above chart datum as described in DFO's Fish Habitat Fact Sheet #T-6.

Ontario Operational Statement Isolated Ponds Version 2.0, (DFO, no date)





ORNAMENT Ontario Road Noise Analysis Method (ORNAMENT). ORNAMENT has been modified for use on a personal computer using the STAMSON computer program.

Ontario Road Noise Analysis Method for Environment and Transportation (MOE, 1989)

Noise

ORSECT

Ontario River/Stream Ecological Classification Techniques is a GIS-based decision support tool for ecological stream classification of a river network anywhere in the province.



Outdoor Living Area (OLA)

The Outdoor Living Area (OLA) is defined as an area at ground level, adjacent to a NSA and accommodating outdoor living activities. This area may be situated on any side of the NSA. The usual distance from the dwelling unit wall is 3 m. The vertical height is 1.2 metres above the existing round surface. Where unknown, the side closest to the highway should be assumed. Paved areas for multiple dwelling residential units may not be defined as an OLA.


OWES Ontario Wetlands Evaluation System N/A Acronym

Owner

A person that is responsible for the establishment or operation of a waste management system or a waste disposal site; or the person that owns the land in or on which a waste disposal site is located.



Owner of the Pollutant

The owner of the pollutant immediately before the first discharge of the pollutant, whether into the natural environment or not, in a quantity and a quality abnormal at the location where the discharge occurs.



OWRA Ontario Water Resources Act N/A Acronym




P, Q

PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons N/A Acronym

Patrol Yard

Facility established for the maintenance of the highway which includes buildings (office, garage), fuel tanks, storage domes for sand and salt, material stockpiles, vehicle parking and storage areas, access roads, entrances, acceleration and deceleration lanes and waste storage.


General

PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls N/A Acronym PDR Preliminary Design Report N/A Acronym

Person Having Control of the Pollutant

The person and the person's employee or agent, if any, having the charge, management or control of a pollutant immediately before the first discharge of the pollutant, whether into the natural environment or not, in a quantity and a quality abnormal at the location where the discharge occurs.



Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

The systematic process of examining existing document, maps and information provided by knowledgeable individuals pertaining to a site, to determine whether a property is or may have been subject to contamination, and to determine the likely nature and location of the possible contamination. A Phase 1 Site Assessment does not normally involve sampling or analysis.

Guidance on Sampling and Analytical Methods for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1996)


Phase I ESA Standard

Refers to the document entitled Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and designated CAN/CSA Z768-01. Canadian Standards Association. (November 2001), as may be amended.



Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

The process of confirming whether or not suspected contamination exists and defining the nature, severity, and extent of that contamination through a sampling and analysis program.

Guidance on Sampling and Analytical Methods for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1996)


Phase II ESA Standard

Refers to the document entitled Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and designated CAN/CSA Z769-00. Canadian Standards Association. (November 2001), as may be amended.



PIC Public Information Centre N/A Acronym

Plan of Subdivision

A plan that creates two or more lots or blocks and usually involves the creation of new streets.


Land Use, Noise




Planning That part of the planning and design process where alternatives to the undertaking and alternative routes are identified and assessed.



Point of Impingement

Used in conjunction with dispersion modelling to define the area in which the maximum ground level concentration (GLC) of a contaminant is predicted to occur.

Rationale for the Development Of Ontario Air Standards For Cyclohexane (MOE, 2004)


Pollutant A contaminant, other than heat, sound, vibration, or radiation, and includes any substance (solid, liquid or gas, or any combination of them) from which a pollutant is derived.


Contaminated Property Management, Air, Surface Water, Groundwater

Polychlorinated Biphenyl

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemical compounds consisting of chlorine, carbon and hydrogen. PCBs are relatively fire-resistant, very stable, do not conduct electricity and have low volatility at normal temperatures. Some of these same properties make PCBs environmentally hazardous - especially their extreme resistance to chemical and biological breakdown by natural processes in the environment. PCBs are also known by their various brand names which include Aroclor, Pyranol, Inerteen and Hyvol.

The PCB Story (Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers, 1986)


Potable Groundwater Site Condition Standards

The full depth generic site condition standards prescribed under section 36 O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition in relation to the contaminants in that section, or the stratified soil condition standards prescribed under section 38 in relation to the contaminants prescribed under that section.



Preliminary Design

That part of the planning and design process, during which various alternative solutions are examined and evaluated including consideration of environmental effects and mitigation; the recommended design solution is then developed in sufficient detail to ensure that the horizontal and vertical controls are physically compatible with the proposed site, that the requirements for lands and rights-of-way are satisfactorily identified, and that the basic design criteria or features to be contained in the design, have been fully recognized and documented in sufficient graphic detail to ensure their feasibility.





Term Definition Reference Related to Preliminary Design Report

A report that describes the general design approach for a project.


Preliminary Fisheries Assessment

The procedures and requirements as defined in Step 4 of Annex 2 used to determine the risk of that the project will result in a HADD.



Preliminary Site Screening

A quick and broad review of a single property to determine the potential for contamination.

Environmental Guide for Contaminated Property Assessment and Management (MTO, 2006)


Prime Agricultural Area

Areas where prime agricultural lands predominate. This includes: areas of prime agricultural lands and associated Canada Land Inventory Class 4-7 soils; and additional areas where there is a local concentration of farms which exhibit characteristics of ongoing agriculture. Prime agricultural areas may be identified by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food using evaluation procedures established by the Province as amended from time to time, or may also be identified through an alternative agricultural land evaluation system approved by the Province.


Prime Agricultural Land

Land that includes specialty crop areas and/or Canada Land Inventory Classes 1, 2, and 3 soils, in this order of priority for protection.


Productive Capacity

The maximum natural capability of habitats to produce healthy fish safe for human consumption, or to support or produce aquatic organisms upon which fish depend.”


Project A specific undertaking planned and implemented in accordance with this Class EA including all those activities necessary to solve a specific transportation problem.


General

Project (MTO) An MTO project, activity, and undertaking in planning, design, construction, operation or maintenance.



Property As used in Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I and II), means the land under assessment, including improvements to the land.



Proponent A person or agency who carries or proposes to carry out an undertaking, or is the owner or person having charge, management, or control of an undertaking.


General




Protected Heritage Property

Real property designated under Parts IV, V or VI of the Ontario Heritage Act; heritage conservation easement property under Parts II or IV of the Ontario Heritage Act; and property that is the subject of a covenant or agreement between the owner of a property and a conservation body or level of government, registered on title and executed with the primary purpose of preserving, conserving and maintaining a cultural heritage feature or resource, or preventing its destruction, demolition or loss.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Cultural Heritage

Provenience The place of origin of an artifact and its spatial relationship with other artifacts and features; context.


Archaeology

Provincial Park Includes provincial campgrounds, provincial picnic grounds, and provincial camp and picnic grounds. Provincial Parks Act (1990) Land Use

Provincial Transportation System

Provincial highways; provincial freeways; provincial transitways (separate transit facilities directly associated with a provincial highway); provincial ferryboats; private controlled access toll highways that are not part of the King's Highway; other transportation corridors which have strategic and economic importance to the province; and the service, maintenance and operations facilities to support the above.


General

Provincially Significant Wetlands

These are wetlands evaluated as provincially significant using the Ontario Wetlands Evaluation system (OWES). No source Terrestrial

Ecosystems

PSL2 Second Priority Substances List, published in 1995 under CEPA. N/A Acronym PSS Preliminary Site Screening N/A Acronym

Public Includes the general public, interest groups, associations, community groups, and individuals including property owners.



Public Lands

Lands belonging to Her Majesty in right of Canada and lands that the Government of Canada has power to dispose of, and includes any waters on or flowing through the lands and the natural resources of the lands, and the internal waters and the territorial sea of Canada.

Canada Wildlife Act (1985) Land Use

PWQO Provincial Water Quality Objectives N/A Acronym

Qualified Person A person who meets the qualifications prescribed by the regulations (as defined under the Ontario EPA 168.1) in the context of Contaminated Property Management.






Quality and Quantity of Water

Is measured by indicators such as minimum base flow, depth to water table, aquifer pressure, oxygen levels, suspended solids, temperature, bacteria, nutrients and hazardous contaminants, and hydrologic regime.


Groundwater, Surface Water




R

RA Risk Assessment N/A Acronym

Realignment Replacement or upgrading of an existing highway on a new or revised alignment.


General

Record of Site Condition

A document that summarizes the environmental condition of a property as determined by a Qualified Person by conducting a Phase I ESA, a Phase II ESA and confirmatory sampling (in the case of site clean-up).

Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site Assessment, the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites and the Filing of Records of Site Condition (MOE, 2004)


Recovery Plans / Management Guidelines

Recovery plans and management guidelines have been prepared for, or are in preparation for, a number of vertebrate species listed as endangered in Ontario. A draft recovery plan has been prepared for a threatened species (Massasauga Rattlesnake). These plans, along with expert scientific input, provide the basis for identifying significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species in Ontario.



Recovery Strategy A recovery strategy is a document that outlines the long-term goals and short-term objectives for recovering a species at risk, based on the best available scientific baseline information.

Species at Risk Act (2002)/ Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)


Recreation

Leisure time activity undertaken in built or natural settings for purposes of physical activity, health benefits, sport participation and skill development, personal enjoyment, positive social interaction and the achievement of human potential.


Remedial Work Plan A plan to bring about the remediation or restoration of a site. Guidelines for Use at Contaminated

Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1997)


Remediation The process of mitigating or removing environmental liabilities from a site in accordance with regulatory requirements and related policy documents.

Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1997)


Residual Effects Effects that remain after mitigation measures have been applied.

Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines for Screenings of Inland Wind Farms Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (Natural Resources Canada, 2003)

General




Restoration

a) Improving the quality of soil, sediment, surface water or groundwater at a site, so that it will be suitable for its intended use. b) The treatment or clean-up of fish habitat that has been altered, disrupted or degraded for the purpose of increasing its capability to sustain a productive fisheries resource.

Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1997) b) MTO / DFO / OMNR Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Transportation Undertakings (2006)

a) Contaminated Property Management b) Fish and Fish Habitat

Riparian Relating to, living, or located on the bank of a natural watercourse (such as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a tidewater.

US Geological Survey Glossary http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm


Risk Assessment

The scientific examination of the nature and magnitude of risk, to define the effects on both human and other receptors of the exposure to contaminant(s). In the context of Contaminated Property Management, “Risk assessment,” means an assessment of risks prepared in accordance with regulations by or under the supervision of the qualified person.



Risk Management

“Risk management” means the process of evaluating and selecting alternative regulatory and non-regulatory responses to risk. The selection process necessarily requires the consideration of legal, economic, and behavioural factors.



River, Stream and Small Inland Lake Systems

All watercourses, rivers, streams, and small inland lakes or waterbodies that have a measurable or predictable response to a single runoff event.


Road

The part of the common public highway, street, avenue, parkway, square, bridge, viaduct, or trestle that is improved, designed or ordinarily used for regular traffic and includes the shoulder, in the context of Contaminated Property Management.



Route Alternatives Location alternatives within a corridor. Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO, 2000)


R-O-W or ROW Right-of-Way N/A Acronym RSC Record of Site Condition N/A Acronym Run-Off See: Stormwater run-off Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO,

1999) Surface Water

Rural Areas Lands in the rural area which are located outside settlement areas and which are outside prime agricultural areas.



RWP Remedial Work Plan N/A Acronym




S

Salvage Archaeology

Archaeology conducted primarily because a site or area is in imminent danger of destruction by natural forces or by construction or development. Also referred to as mitigation.


Archaeology

Sampling Location An area of then property that does not have a radius larger than two metres.



SARA Federal Species at Risk Act (2002) N/A Acronym SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act N/A Acronym

Sediment

Soils or other materials transported by wind or water as a result of erosion (1). The soil to a maximum depth of 0.15 metres, located at the base of a water body (2).

(1) Protocol for the Review of Water Crossings (MNR, April 2005) (2) EPA, O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition

Erosion and Sediment Control, Fish and Fish Habitat, Contaminated Property Management

Sensitive

In regard to surface water features and ground water features, means areas that are particularly susceptible to impacts from activities or events including, but not limited to, water withdrawals, and additions of pollutants.


Groundwater, Surface Water

Sensitive Fish Species

Includes species at risk, brook trout, lake trout, lake sturgeon and muskellunge.



Sensitive Land Uses

Buildings, amenity areas, or outdoor spaces where routine or normal activities occurring at reasonably expected times would experience one or more adverse effects from contaminant discharges generated by a nearby major facility. Sensitive land uses may be a part of the natural or built environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to: residences, day care centres, and educational and health facilities.


Service Providers Consultants, contract administrators, and contractors hired by MTO to assist in the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of its projects.






Setback The distance between the nearest extremity of an object such as a building or structure under consideration for development and the centreline or property line of the highway.


Settlement Areas

Urban areas and rural settlement areas within municipalities (such as cities, towns, villages and hamlets) that are:

a. built up areas where development is concentrated and which have a mix of land uses; and

b. lands which have been designated in an official plan for development over the long term planning horizon provided for in policy 1.1.2. In cases where land in designated growth areas is not available, the settlement area may be no larger than the area where development is concentrated.



Settlement Pattern

In archaeology, the spatial relationship of artifact classes within a single site. Such studies serve to indicate the activity areas at a site and may allow inferences of social and political organization to be made. For example, such elements as the presence of more exotic trade goods, or a greater diversity of faunal remains associated with a larger house structure might indicate that its occupants were more affluent and perhaps more influential than their "poorer" neighbors. 2. the spatial relationship of a number of sites of the same culture and the environmental setting within which each occur. The investigation of such patterns can provide useful information on the relationship between subsistence, technology and ecology.


Archaeology

Sewage Includes drainage, storm water, commercial wastes and industrial wastes and such other matter or substance as is specified by the regulations.

Ontario Water Resources Act (1990)

Surface Water, Contaminated Property Management

Sewage Works Any works for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of sewage or any part of such works, but does not include plumbing to which the Building Code Act, 1992 applies.


Surface Water, Contaminated Property Management




Shallow Soil Property

A property of which 1/3 or more of the area consist of soil equal to or less than 2 metres in depth beneath the soil surface, excluding any non-soil surface treatment such as asphalt, concrete or aggregate, but does not include either of the following: • A property that has ground water within such soil, if the

concentrations of the contaminants in the ground water do not exceed the applicable standards set out in Table 6 of the Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards.

• A property that has ground water beneath such soil, if an extract test of the soil indicates that the concentrations of the contaminants in the extract do not exceed the applicable standards set out in Table 6 of the Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards. O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition.



Shoulders The portion of the roadway between the edge of the travelled portion and the top inside edge of the ditch or fill slope.



Shovel Test

In archaeology, a small scale, generally informal test excavation to ascertain the nature of the deposits, to determine the presence or absence of an archaeological site, or to delimit the boundaries of a known site.


Archaeology




Significant

a. In regard to wetlands, coastal wetlands and areas of natural and scientific interest, an area identified as provincially significant by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources using evaluation procedures established by the Province, as amended from time to time;

b. In regard to the habitat of endangered species and threatened species, means the habitat, as approved by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, that is necessary for the maintenance, survival, and/or the recovery of naturally occurring or reintroduced populations of endangered species or threatened species, and where those areas of occurrence are occupied or habitually occupied by the species during all or any part(s) of its life cycle;

c. In regard to woodlands, an area which is ecologically important in terms of features such as species composition, age of trees and stand history; functionally important due to its contribution to the broader landscape because of its location, size or due to the amount of forest cover in the planning area; or economically important due to site quality, species composition, or past management history;

d. In regard to other features and areas in policy 2.1, ecologically important in terms of features, functions, representation or amount, and contributing to the quality and diversity of an identifiable geographic area or natural heritage system;

e. In regard to mineral potential, means an area identified as provincially significant through comprehensive studies prepared using evaluation procedures established by the Province, as amended from time to time, such as the Provincially Significant Mineral Potential Index;

f. In regard to potential for petroleum resources, means an area identified as provincially significant through comprehensive studies prepared using evaluation procedures established by the Province, as amended from time to time; and

g. In regard to cultural heritage and archaeology, resources that are valued for the important contribution they make to our understanding of the history of a place, an event, or a people.

Criteria for determining significance for the resources identified in sections (c)-(g) are recommended by the Province, but municipal approaches that achieve or exceed the same objective may also be used.

While some significant resources may already be identified and inventoried by official sources, the significance of others can only be determined after evaluation.




Term Definition Reference Related to Significant Portions of the Habitat of Endangered or Threatened Species

The habitat, as approved by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, that is necessary for the maintenance, survival, and/or the recovery of naturally occurring or reintroduced populations of endangered species or threatened species, and where those areas of occurrence are occupied or habitually occupied by the species during all or any part(s) of its life cycle.

Provincial Policy Statement, Training Manual Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005)


Significant Wildlife Habitat

Ecologically important in terms of features, functions, representation or amount, and contributing to the quality and diversity of an identifiable geographic area or natural heritage system.



Sinuosity The amount of meandering exhibited by a stream channel. Dictionary of Physical Geography (Whittow, 1984)


Site Used in the Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment standards in relation the property under assessment, including and improvements to the property.



Site Condition Standards

The full depth background site condition standards, full depth generic site condition standards and stratified site condition standards.



Site Contamination

The presence of a substance or a condition on a specific property, land parcel, or area that may adversely affect human health or the natural environment (e.g. soil, water, air, land).

Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario (MOE, 1997)


Site Plans A plan that indicates specific details of a proposed development including placement of buildings, parking areas, landscaping, onsite lighting, etc.


Site Remediation

The single location, place, tract of land, or parcel or portion of any parcel of property, including contiguous property separated by a public right-of-way, for which cleanup or other methods used to remove or contain contamination is required.



SLRE Screening Level Risk Evaluation N/A Acronym




Soil

Under Contaminated Property Management “soil” means, unconsolidated naturally occurring mineral particles and other naturally occurring material resulting from the natural breakdown of rock or organic matter by physical, chemical or biological processes that are smaller than 2 millimetres in size or pass the US #10 sieve (as defined in O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition). For shallow soil property, the definition of “soil” expands upon to include a mixture of soil (as defined above) and rock if less than 50 per cent by mass of the mixture is rock.



Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards

Refers to Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act published by the Ministry and dated March 9, 2004.



Soils Condition Type, stratigraphic, cover and degree of wetness of the soil. Glossary of Drainage Terms (MTO, 1999)

Erosion and Sediment Control

SP Standard Special Provision N/A Acronym

Special Concern Species

Means a wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)


Special Provision

Special provisions (can be either standard [SP or SSP] or non-standard [NSSP or NSP]) have wording for environmental protection requirements in construction and maintenance contracts.


General

Specialty Crop Area

Means areas designated using evaluation procedures established by the province, as amended from time to time, where specialty crops such as tender fruits (peaches, cherries, plums), grapes, other fruit crops, vegetable crops, greenhouse crops, and crops from agriculturally developed organic soil lands are predominantly grown, usually resulting from:

a. soils that have suitability to produce specialty crops, or lands that are subject to special climatic conditions, or a combination of both; and/or

b. a combination of farmers skilled in the production of specialty crops, and of capital investment in related facilities and services to produce, store, or process specialty crops.





Species at Risk Means an extirpated, endangered or threatened species or a species of special concern.

Species at Risk Act (2002) / Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)


Species of Conservation Concern

Means species considered by MNR to include the following: 1. Species identified as nationally endangered or threatened by

COSEWIC which are not protected by regulation under Ontario's Endangered Species Act;

2. Species identified as provincially vulnerable based on MNR VTEEE listings (see below);

3. Species listed as rare or historical in Ontario based on MNR Natural Heritage Information Centre (S1 - extremely rare; S2-very rare; S3 rare to uncommon);

4. Species listed as rare or historical in Ontario based on MNR Natural Heritage Information Centre (S1 - extremely rare; S2-very rare; S3 rare to uncommon);

5. Species whose populations are known to be experiencing substantial declines in Ontario;

6. Species with a high percentage of their global population in Ontario and are rare or uncommon in the planning area;; Species that are rare in the planning area, even if not provincially rare;

7. Species that are subjects of recovery programs; 8. Species considered important to the municipality.



Spill

When used with reference to a pollutant, means a discharge, Into the natural environment, From or out of a structure, vehicle or other container, and That is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge and when used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.



Spill A discharge into the natural environment that is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge (Source Environmental Protection Act).



SSP Standard Special Provision N/A Acronym

STAMINA STAMINA 2.0 is a computer program based on the United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Noise Prediction Model.

Ontario Road Noise Analysis Method for Environment and Transportation (MOE, 1989)

Noise




Standard Special Provision

Environmental standard Special Provision (referred to as either SPs or SSPs) have standard wording for routine environmental protection requirements in construction and maintenance contracts.


General

Stormwater Runoff Is the portion of rainfall that moves over the ground toward a lower elevation and does not infiltrate into the soil.


Stratified Depth

The practice of restoring soil quality of the top 1.5 metres of soil to the “full-depth criteria”; and restoring soil quality deeper than 1.5 metres to the stratified-depth criteria as defined in O. Reg. 153/04 - Records of Site Condition.



Stratified Random Sampling

In archaeology. a sampling method in which the area or site to be tested is first divided into a number of smaller sections (strata) and then each of these is sampled randomly. Excavation is such a time-consuming business that archaeologists rarely have the time or funds to excavate an entire site. The problem becomes completely insurmountable when the region to be investigated comprises a township, valley or county. For that reason, archaeologists must concern themselves with methods of taking a sample, the object of which is to achieve a body of data which is representative of all that the site or region contains. To avoid human bias, an archaeologist might take a sample randomly, but too often, truly randomized units cluster together leaving some areas untested while "oversampling" others. Stratified random sampling ensures that the entire length and breadth of a site or all of the ecological zones within an area are tested while at the same time retaining an acceptable degree of randomness for most purposes.


Archaeology

Stream Streams are watercourses with flowing water, including rivers, and may be permanent, intermittent or ephemeral.



Stream – Ephemeral

Ephemeral flows are streamflows in channels that are short-lived or transitory and occur from precipitation, snow melt, or short-term water releases. (Armantrout, N.B., compiler.1998, Glossary of Aquatic Habitat Inventory Terminology. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland).






Stream – Intermittent

For planning purposes, intermittent streams are indicated on 1:20,000 and 1:10,000 scale OBM maps as a dashed line. In some cases there may be other map scales and local information that provide more accurate locations of streams. Planning teams are encouraged to use the most accurate information available. These other sources may also be useful in identifying streams that are shown as permanent on the OBM maps, but in fact are intermittent. In the field, an intermittent stream is a stream that flows only during wet periods. This definition includes streams or portions of streams where the channel is above the water table, and which flow for only brief periods in direct response to recent precipitation or snowmelt. Intermittent streams tend to have poorly defined stream banks.



Stream – Permanent

For planning purposes, permanent streams are indicated on 1:20,000 and 1:10,000 scale OBM maps as a solid line. In some cases there may be other map scales and local information that provide more accurate locations of streams. Planning teams are encouraged to use the most accurate information available. In the field, permanent streams are streams that have a natural defined channel without terrestrial vegetation in the streambed.



Stream – Unmapped

An intermittent or permanent stream not indicated on 1:10,000 or 1:20,000 OBM maps.



Stream Channel System

An open channel or watercourse consisting of a number if reaches that are natural or artificial. Generally, natural stream channels have cross-sections of irregular shapes that reflect the geomorphic processes in the stream. Artificial stream channel systems are generally prismatic sections of rectangular, trapezoidal and triangular cross-section and do not vary with distance along the stream channel.



Study Area

The study area is the broad area within which information is to be collected to ensure an understanding, and is defined for each environmental factor in the Environmental Reference for Highway Design.

Definition developed for this glossary. General




Study Route Zone

For Built Heritage and Cultural Heritage Landscapes, it refers to the area that maybe affected by the development of a transportation corridor under study for improvement or renewal. Typically study area zones vary from 100M to 500M of the right-of-way.

Definition developed for this glossary.


Subject Waste

Any material defined under the General Waste Management Regulation (O. Reg. 347/90, as amended) as being hazardous and liquid industrial wastes, and any waste producing leachate containing any of the contaminants listed in Schedule 4 of O. Reg. 558/00 at a concentration equal to or in excess of the concentration specified for that contaminant in Schedule 4 using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP).

EPA, O. Reg. 347 – General - Waste Management


Sub-Surface Soil Soil which is more than 1.5 m from the soil surface, excluding the thickness of any non-soil surface treatment such as asphalt, concrete or aggregate.



Surface Soil Soil which is 1.5 m or less from the soil surface, excluding the thickness of any non-soil surface treatment such as asphalt, concrete or aggregate.



Surface Water Feature

Refers to water-related features on the earth’s surface, including headwaters, rivers, stream channels, inland lakes, seepage areas, recharge/discharge areas, springs, wetlands, and associated riparian lands that can be defined by their soil moisture, soil type, vegetation or topographic characteristics.


Survey

In archaeology, l. the investigation of an area to locate archaeological sites and to acquire a preliminary understanding of its prehistory. This latter aim is most commonly achieved by means of surface collecting and the excavation of test pits. 2. to systematically map and grid an archaeological site. Surveying instruments such as the transit and the theodolite are generally used.


Archaeology

SWHTG Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide N/A Acronym




T

TAC Transportation Association of Canada N/A Acronym TCLP Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure N/A Acronym TESR Transportation Environmental Study Report N/A Acronym

Test Excavation In archaeology, subsurface excavations in areas which are either defined as sites based on surface artifacts or thought to contain buried deposits based on the landform.


Archaeology

Test Pit In archaeology, a unit excavated to determine the presence or absence of an archaeological site, or the nature of the deposits.


Archaeology

Threatened

Any native species that, on the basis of best available scientific evidence is at risk of becoming endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its Ontario range if limiting factors are not reversed.



Threatened Species

a) A species that is listed or categorized as a “Threatened Species” on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ official species at risk list, as updated and amended from time to time.

b) A wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.

a) Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005)

b) Species at Risk Act Registry Glossary (2003)


Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure

A test designed to determine whether a waste is hazardous or requires treatment to become less hazardous; also can be used to monitor treatment techniques for effectiveness.



Transit

A surveying instrument capable of measuring vertical and horizontal angles and consisting of a tripod-mounted telescope. The transit is similar to the theodolite in many respects, but differs in that it has a longer telescope, exposed vernier scales and an integral compass.


Archaeology

Transitway A separate transit facility directly associated with a provincial highway. The transit right-of-way may be shared with a highway right-of-way.


General




Transportation Systems

A system consisting of corridors and rights-of way for the movement of people and goods, and associated transportation facilities including transit stops and stations, cycle lanes, bus lanes, high occupancy vehicle lanes, rail facilities, park’n’ride lots, service centres, rest stops, vehicle inspection stations, intermodal terminals, harbours, and associated facilities such as storage and maintenance.


Truck Inspection Station

Facilities include; buildings, weigh scales, parking areas, ramps and storage area.


General

TSSA Technical Standards and Safety Authority N/A Acronym

Twinning The addition of one or more lanes to a highway facility where the new lanes are separated from the existing lanes by means of a median.


General




U, V

Undertaking In keeping with the definition of the Environmental Assessment Act, a project or activity subject to this Class Environmental Assessment.


General

Undertaking (MTO) An MTO project as defined above.



US EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency N/A Acronym

Valleylands A natural area that occurs in a valley or other landform depression that has water flowing through or standing for some period of the year.



Valued Ecosystem Components

Valued ecosystem components: Any part of the environment that is considered important by the proponent, public, scientists and government involved in the assessment process. Importance may be determined on the basis of cultural values or scientific concern.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (1999)

General

VECs Valued Ecosystem Components N/A Acronym Vegetated Buffer Strips

Grassed or forested vegetation designed to intercept sheet flow and filter contaminants from the runoff prior to the flow entering the surface drainage system.


VOC Volatile Organic Compound N/A Acronym

VTEEE Species These are Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, Extirpated or Extinct species as listed and periodically updated by Ministry of Natural Resources.

N/A Acronym

Vulnerable (Species)

Any native species that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, is a species of special concern in Ontario but is not a threatened or endangered species.



Vulnerable (Groundwater)

Surface and groundwater that can be easily changed or impacted by activities or events, either by virtue of their vicinity to such activities or events or by permissive pathways between such activities and the surface and/or groundwater.

Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Groundwater




W

Waste Waste includes ashes, garbage, refuse, domestic waste, industrial waste, or municipal refuse and such other materials as are designated in O. Reg. 347/90.



Waste Disposal Site

Any land upon, in, or through which, or building or structure in which waste is deposited, disposed of, handled, stored, transferred, treated, or processed, and any operation carried out, or machinery or equipment used in connection with the depositing, disposal, handling, storage, transfer, treatment or processing referred to above.



Waste Generator As used in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard, a generator of waste as defined in O. Reg. 347/90.



Waste Management System

Any facility or equipment used in, and any operations carried out for, the management of waste including the collection, handling, transportation, storage, processing or disposal of waste, and may include one or more disposal sites (as defined in Ontario EPA).



Waste Manifest

A numbered document from the Ministry of Environment used by haulers transporting waste that lists Environmental Protection Act identification numbers, type and quantity of waste, the generator it originated from, the transporter that shipped it, and the storage or disposal facility to which it is being shipped. It includes copies for all participants in the shipping process.

EPA, O. Reg. 347 – General - Waste Management


Water A well, lake, river, pond, spring, stream, reservoir, artificial watercourse, intermittent watercourse, groundwater, or any other water or watercourse.



Water Crossing A culvert or bridge structure used to cross a water body.



Waterbodies

Any natural or constructed body of water including: lakes, ponds, streams, channels, wetlands, etc.



Watercourse A stream, river or channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently, with some degree of regularity.





Term Definition Reference Related to Waters Frequented by Fish

As defined in the Fisheries Act, means Canadian fisheries waters. Fisheries Act (1998)


Watershed The area drained by an underground or surface stream, or by a system of streams.

Protocol for the Review of Water Crossings (MNR, April 2005) Surface Water

Watershed An area that is drained by a river and its tributaries. Provincial Policy Statement (MMAH, 2005) Surface Water

Watershed Areas Is the area of land that drains to a single outlet and is separated from other watersheds by a divide.


Watershed, Sub-watershed and Master Drainage Plans

Documents that study drainage management issues for larger scale areas, to specify environmental and servicing requirements.


Wells

Wells and other boreholes (including boreholes, test holes and dewatering wells) are defined in the OWRA and O. Reg. 903. In essence: test holes, boreholes and dewatering wells are defined as wells under the amendments to 903 re-enforcing the need to ensure that these points are properly sealed when no longer needed.

OWRA, O. Reg. 903/90 Groundwater

Wetland Functions

The natural processes and derivation of benefits and values associated with wetland ecosystems, including economic production (e.g. peat, agricultural crops, wild rice, peatland forest products), fish and wildlife habitat, organic carbon storage, water supply and purification (groundwater recharge, flood control, maintenance of flow regimes, shoreline erosion buffering) and soil and water conservation, as well as tourism, heritage, recreational, educational, scientific and aesthetic opportunities.

Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation: Implementation Guide for Federal Land Managers (Environment Canada, 1996)

Groundwater

Wetlands

Lands that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water, as well as lands where the water table is close to or at the surface. In either case the presence of abundant water has caused the formation of hydric soils and has favoured the dominance of either hydrophytic plants or water tolerant plants. The four major types of wetlands are swamps, marshes, bogs and fens. Periodically soaked or wet lands being used for agricultural purposes which no longer exhibit wetland characteristics are not considered to be wetlands for the purposes of this definition.






Wildlife Habitat

Areas where plants, animals and other organisms live, and find adequate amounts of food, water, shelter and space needed to sustain their populations. Specific wildlife habitats of concern may include areas where species concentrate at a vulnerable point in their annual or life cycle; and areas that are important to migratory or non-migratory species.



Wildlife Species

A species, subspecies, variety or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and a) is native to Canada; or b) has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Species at Risk Act (2002)


Winter Maintenance Facility

May include a garage, fuel pumps and storage buildings, including facilities for de-icing chemicals.


General

WMA Winter Maintenance Area N/A Acronym

Woodlands

Treed areas that provide environmental and economic benefits to both the private landowner and the general public, such as erosion prevention, hydrological and nutrient cycling, provision of clean air and the long-term storage of carbon, provision of wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities, and the sustainable harvest of a wide range of woodland products. Woodlands include treed areas, woodlots or forested areas and vary in their level of significance at the local, regional and provincial levels.



Work-in-Water Timing Windows

These are calendar periods that indicate when work in the water can take place. The periods are defined for various species and reflect consideration of life cycle characteristics (e.g. spawning, incubation, nursery/rearing, migration areas).






X, Y, Z

Zoning By-laws

A law passed by a municipal council under the jurisdiction of the municipal Act or the Planning Act.



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