TABLE F-1

POLICY AUDIT - NATURAL FEATURES AND HAZARD AREA PROTECTION

policy considerations description provincial policy statement requirement Regional Official Plan Requirement official plan policy and/or designations required to address the provincial/regional policy framework extent to which the kanata official plan addresses the provincial/regional policy framework suggested changes to kanata official plan to address the provincial/regional policy framework POLICY AUDIT - NATURAL FEATURES PROTECTION NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES Significant Wetland •	Lands that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water or have a water table that is close to or at the surface; includes swamps, marshes, bogs and fens.

•	A wetland is identified as Provincially significant by the MNR based upon Provincial evaluation procedures. •	No development or site alteration is permitted in Provincially significant wetlands located south and east of the Canadian Shield.

•	Development or site alteration may be permitted in Provincially significant wetlands located on the Canadian Shield. •	No development or site alteration is permitted in significant wetlands (located south and east of the Canadian Shield).

•	Minor encroachment of development may be permitted in significant wetlands located on the Canadian Shield based on an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Development may be permitted in other wetlands based on an Environmental Impact Statement. •	Designation of significant wetlands in a level 1 type Environmental designation which permits no development/no encroachment.

•	Policies addressing the requirement for a Wetland Impact Study for development proposals on lands adjacent to a Provincially significant wetland.

•	Designation of significant wetlands located on the Canadian Shield in a level 2 type Environmental designation which may permit development based on an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Policies addressing the requirements for an Environmental Impact Statement for development proposals within or along the edge of a Class 1-3 wetland.

•	Policies addressing the protection of significant wetlands.

•	Policies encouraging the protection of core parts of Class 4-7 wetlands through the development approvals process. •	City contains significant wetlands.

•	Significant wetlands and Class 1-3 wetlands are designated Class 1-3 Wetlands on Schedule A - Rural Area Land Use & Roads.

•	Significant wetlands and Class 1-3 wetlands are designated Class 1-3 Wetlands on Schedule E - Environmental Constraints.

•	Lands encompassing the significant wetlands in the Rural Area are designated Marginal Resource (Restricted) and General Rural on Schedule A - Rural Area Land Use & Roads. Limits of the Marginal Resource (Restricted) designation corresponds to the Natural Environment Area (B) designation in the Regional Official Plan.

•	Lands encompassing significant wetlands in the Urban Area are designated Natural Environment Area on Schedule B - Urban Area Land Use. Limits of the Natural Environment Area designation correspond to the Natural Environmental Area (A) designation in the Regional Official Plan.

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refers to conserving and protecting significant wetlands from detrimental development.

•	Sect. 3.7.4 General Land Use - Wetland policy permits development on and/or adjacent to Provincially significant wetlands and Class 1-3 wetlands based on meeting certain criteria.

•	Sect. 3.7.4 Wetland policy contains no specific requirements for the preparation of Wetland Impact Studies and Environmental Impact Statements.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) policy recognizes the environmental significance of the areas and specifically makes reference to wetlands.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) policy requires an environmental impact study in support of residential plan of subdivision applications.

•	Sect. 4.7 General Rural makes no reference to wetlands. •	General O.P. Changes:

•	Create a new free-standing Environment Section; existing Sect. 3.7 Environmental Constraints be relocated into that new section.

•	Significant wetlands south and east of the Canadian Shield to be differentiated from significant wetland in the Canadian Shield on Schedule A - Rural Area Land Use & Roads and on Schedule E - Environmental Constraints.

•	Significant wetlands southeast of the Canadian Shield to be designated Natural Environment Area 1 and significant wetlands in the Canadian Shield be designated Natural Environment Area 2 on Schedule A - Rural Area Land Use & Roads.

•	Natural Environment Area designation on Schedule B - Urban Area Land Use be changed to Natural Environment Area 1.

•	Sect. 3.7.4 Wetland policies be reworded to differentiate between Significant Wetlands (south and east of the Canadian Shield) and Significant Wetlands (on the Canadian Shield) as per the PPS.

•	Sect. 3.7.4 Wetland policies be reworded to reflect "no development" in significant wetlands south and east of the Canadian Shield and as per the PPS and Region OP.

•	New environmental policies to address Wetland Impact Studies for development proposals on adjacent lands to a Provincially significant wetland.

•	New environmental policies to address Environmental Impact Statements for development proposals in and/or on the edge of Class 1-3 wetlands as well as for other specific natural features.

•	New policy section for Natural Environment Area 2 as per Region O.P..

•	Sect. 6.4 Natural Environment Area be renamed Natural Environment Area 1 as per Region O.P.

•	Natural Environment Areas 1 and 2 policies recognize Provincially significant and Class 1-3 wetlands.

•	Wetland policies be re-located in new Environment Section. •	Sect. 6.4 Natural Environment Area policy addresses the protection of landforms, vegetation, drainage systems, wildlife and aquatic life of high environmental value; wetlands are not specifically noted. •	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Study regarding significant wetlands. Significant Portions of the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species •	Ecologically important habitat for any native species, as listed in the Regulations under the Endangered Species Act, that is at risk of extinction or becoming endangered throughout all or a portion of Ontario. •	No development is permitted in areas of habitat of endangered and threatened species. •	No development is permitted in significant portions of habitat of endangered and threatened species. •	Level 1 type Environmental designation and supporting policies permitting no development in areas containing significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives makes no reference to significant portions of habitat of endangered and threatened species.

•	O.P. contains no policies addressing endangered and threatened species. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species as per the PPS/Regional OP.

•	Endangered and threatened species be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	Endangered and threatened species be included as a feature to be assessed in Environmental Impact Statements and Wetland Impact Studies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding endangered and threatened species. Fish Habitat •	Fish habitat includes spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly to carry out their life processes.

•	Defined by permanently or seasonally flowing or standing water features (streams, wetland, groundwater discharge zones), channel features (bank structure, soils, moisture conditions) and adjacent natural or potentially revegetated riparian vegetation (root systems, trees, canopy, etc.) and a vegetated buffer allowance. •	No development is permitted in areas that will result in the loss of fish and/or fish habitat where compensation (habitat restoration, enhancement and/or creation) is not feasible or is considered unacceptable by DFO in conjunction with its designated agent.

•	Development may be permitted if it does not harmfully alter, disrupt or destroy fish habitat, such that there will be no net loss of fish habitat. •	Development may be permitted if it does not alter, disrupt or destroy fish habitat as required in the Fisheries Act.

•	Development must demonstrate no adverse impact on fish habitat located on or in the vicinity of the site. •	Policies directing the protection of fish habitat.

•	Policies addressing no net loss of productive capacity of fish habitat.

•	Policies addressing environmental buffers/ setbacks from fish habitat areas (lakes, rivers, streams).

•	Policies requiring a fisheries impact analysis to demonstrate no net loss of fish habitat to address DFO requirements. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives makes no reference to fish habitat.

•	O.P. contains no policies addressing fish habitat. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference fish habitat as per the PPS.

•	Fish habitat be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	Fish habitat be included as an item to be assessed in Environmental Impact Statements and Wetland Impact Studies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding fish habitat i.e. buffers/setbacks. Significant Woodlands •	Treed areas that are ecologically important, contributing to the quality and diversity of an identifiable geographic area or natural heritage system.

•	Technically assessed on the basis of size, association with other natural heritage features, composition, age, site quality, linkage, buffering and hydrological flow. •	Development may be permitted in significant woodlands if it does not negatively impact the features or ecological functions for which the woodlands are identified. •	Encroachment of development into significant/high quality woodlands may be permitted if it does not negatively impact the core ecological functions for which the significant woodlands are identified as demonstrated by an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Level 2 type Environmental designation which may permit development intrusion into the woodland based on an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Policies addressing the requirements for an EIS to demonstrate mitigation of impact of development on significant/high quality woodlands. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives makes no reference to significant woodlands.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) refers to the forestry resources and the requirement for environmental impact studies in support of development applications to assess impacts on them.

•	Sect. 5 Urban Area Community Plans make provision for tree planting programs i.e. Marchwood/Lakeside and Town Centre.

•	Sect. 5.3.5 and Sect. 6.4 Natural Environment Area refers to forest resources.

•	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference significant woodlands as per the PPS.

•	Significant woodlands be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	New Environment Section include provisions for identifying/protecting significant woodlands, establishing targets and evaluating development proposals involving woodlands.

•	Significant woodlands be included as an item to be assessed in Environmental Impact Statements.

•	Sect. 6.4.2 be reworded to specifically include forests/woodlands in the resources to be protected and maintained.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding significant woodlands. Significant Wildlife Habitat •	Wildlife habitat that are ecologically important to an area in terms of function, representation or amount and contribution to the natural heritage system may include areas where species concentrate at a vulnerable point in their annual or life cycle or are important to migration or non-migration species. •	Development may be permitted in significant wildlife habitat if it does not negatively impact the ecological functions for which the significant wildlife habitat is identified. •	Encroachment of development into significant/high quality wildlife habitat may be permitted if it does not negatively impact the ecological functions for which the significant wildlife habitat is identified as demonstrated by an Environmental Impact Statement. •	Level 2 type Environmental designation which may permit development based on an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Policies addressing the requirements for the demonstration of no negative impact of development on significant wildlife habitat. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives makes reference to wildlife habitat.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) contains references to wildlife habitat and includes wildlife habitat in the requirement for an environmental impact analysis in support of residential development applications.

•	Sect. 6.4 Natural Environment Area recognizes wildlife habitat as a resource to be protected and maintained. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference significant wildlife habitat as per the PPS.

•	Significant wildlife habitat be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	New Environment Section include provisions for identifying/protecting significant wildlife habitat and evaluating development proposals involving them.

•	Significant wildlife habitat be included as an item to be assessed in Environmental Impact Statements and Wetland Impact Studies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding significant wildlife habitat. Significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest •	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. •	Development may be permitted in an ANSI if it does not negatively impact the ecological functions for which the ANSi is identified. •	Encroachment of development into a Provincially Significant ANSI may be permitted if it does not negatively impact the ecological functions for which the ANSi is identified as demonstrated by an Environmental Impact Statement. •	Level 2 type Environmental designation which may permit development based on an Environmental Impact Statement.

•	Policies addressing the requirements for the demonstration of no negative impact of development on ANSI's. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives makes no reference to ANSI's.

•	Sect. 5.7.6.1 refers to the ANSI in the Highway 417/Terry Fox Drive area and the need to protect it from the effects of future roadway development. •General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference significant ANSIs as per the PPS.

•	Significant ANSIs be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	New Environment Section include provisions for identifying/protecting significant ANSIs and evaluating development proposals involving them.

•	Significant ANSIs be included as an item to be assessed in Environmental Impact Statements.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding significant ANSIs. Adjacent Lands to Significant Wetland, Significant Portions of the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species, Fish Habitat, Significant Woodlands, Significant Wildlife Habitat and Significant ANSI's •	Lands contiguous to a natural heritage feature or area where it is likely that development would have a negative impact on that feature or area. •	Development may be permitted on adjacent lands if it does not negatively impact the ecological function of that feature or area. •	Development may be permitted on lands adjacent to a Provincially significant wetland if it does not negatively impact the ecological function of the wetland as demonstrated by a Wetland Impact Study.

•	Adjacent lands of other heritage features are recognized through inclusion within the environmental designation or overlay, or through provision for designing with nature or other environmental requirements common to all development applications. •	Policies addressing the requirement to demonstrate no negative impact of development on lands adjacent to Provincially significant wetlands, fish habitat and other significant natural heritage features or areas. •	O.P. contains no policies regarding lands adjacent to significant natural features i.e. the need for environmental buffers/ setbacks from development and the technical analysis required to establish buffers/setbacks for development adjacent to natural areas.

•	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refer to adjacent lands to Significant Wetlands, Significant Portions of the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species, Fish Habitat, Significant Woodlands, Significant Wildlife Habitat and Significant ANSI's as per the PPS.

•	Adjacent lands be addressed in the new Environment Section.

•	Requirement for Environmental Impact Statements and Wetland Impact Studies in support of development applications on adjacent lands be addressed in the new Environment section.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy from the Subwatershed Study regarding adjacent lands. Natural Links and Connections •	Maintaining natural connections between natural heritage features and/or areas. •	The maintenance and/or improvement/ enhancement of natural connections. •	The enhancement of vegetative cover along stream corridors to support their role in linking natural areas and maintaining ecological integrity. •	Policies and designations addressing the maintenance and/or improvement of natural links and connections. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refers to pedestrian, automobile and transit connections but not environmental linkages.

•	Sect. 5 Urban Area Community Plans make policy provision for sidewalk/ pathway linkages with adjacent communities and the National Capital Commission Greenbelt.

•	Sect. 5.3 Marchwood/Lakeside Community Plan provides for linkage of Natural Environment Areas, parks, schools, community facilities and residential.

•	O.P. contains no comprehensive greenway system policy. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives be modified to reference greenway connections/linkages as per the PPS.

•	New Environment Section include greenway system policies.

•	New Schedule E - Environment show the planned greenway system for the overall Urban Area.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding the greenway system. WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY Sensitive Water Quality and Quantity Areas •	Key components of the hydrologic cycle fundamental to the structure, composition and function of natural features and the health of ecosystems. Includes groundwater recharge/discharge areas, aquifers and headwaters.

•	Recharge areas connected to water supply aquifers.

•	Aquifers that maintain an important natural baseflow.

•	Discharge areas that contribute to, or maintain, an important natural baseflow. •	No development is permitted in an area that will negatively impact on groundwater recharge areas, headwaters and aquifers which have been identified as sensitive areas.

•	Development may be permitted where the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater are protected. •	Restriction of incompatible development around aquifer recharge areas to protect groundwater supply from potential contamination.

•	Establishment of environmental setbacks for structures and septic systems from lakes, rivers and streams. •	Policies addressing water quality and quantity standards/targets.

•	Policies addressing water supply and sewage system requirements.

•	Policies addressing identification and protection of sensitive ground and surface water features. •	Sect. 4 Rural Area contains policies for new development addressing potable water supply, the requirement for hydrogeological studies to assess site suitability for septic systems and individual wells, assessment of impacts on sensitive groundwater recharge areas, requirement for master drainage plans, etc.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) requires environmental impact studies in support of residential development applications to address groundwater quality and quantity.

•	Sect. 5 Urban Area Community Plans make provision for urban stormwater management systems.

•	Sect. 7.1 Urban Area Municipal Services addresses design standard for stormwater management. •	General O.P. Changes

•	New Environment Section to consolidate water quality and quantity policies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding water quality and quantity. NATURAL HAZARDS Erosion Hazards •	Lands that could be unsafe for development due to unstable slopes.

•	Development is restricted within erosion areas as defined by the 100 year erosion limit. •	Development is restricted within areas with unstable slopes as identified in the 1976 Report entitled "Slope Stability Study of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton." •	Designations and supporting policies addressing conditions where development is permitted in areas of unstable slopes. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refers to preserving and protecting lands which are subject to environmental constraints including erosion.

•	Sect. 3.7.2 Organic Soils and Unstable Slopes addresses erosion hazards.

•	Unstable slopes shown on Schedule E - Environmental Constraints. •	General O.P. Changes

•	New Environment Section to consolidate the erosion policies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding erosion hazards. Flooding Hazards •	Lands that could be unsafe for development due to naturally occurring processes adjacent to all water bodies that have a measurable or predictable response to a single runoff event.

•	Flooding hazard defined by the regulatory flood standard.

•	No development is permitted within the floodplain as defined by the regulatory flood standard.

•	No development is permitted within the floodplain as defined by the 100 year flood event.

•	Designations and supporting policies addressing one zone concept, two zone concept and/or special policy area concept.

•	Policies addressing floodproofing and land use restrictions in floodplains.

•	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refers to preserving and protecting lands which are subject to environmental constraints including flooding.

•	Sect. 3.7.1 Floodplains contains policies addressing the 100 year flood event and two-zone approach.

•	Floodplains are shown on Schedule E - Environmental Constraints. •	General O.P. Changes

•	New Environment Section to consolidate floodplain policies.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding floodplain areas i.e. no development areas. HUMAN-MADE HAZARDS Contaminated Sites •	Lands that could be unsafe for development due to past human activity on the site resulting in the existence of a potential source of contaminants which may threaten public health and safety. •	No development is permitted in the area of a contaminated site prior to it being restored in accordance with EPA requirements such that there will be no adverse effect on public health and safety. •	Development is permitted on a contaminated site based on its cleanup and restoration in accordance with the Ministry of the Environment "Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario." •	Policies defining the requirements for the development of lands containing contaminated sites. •	O.P. contains no detailed policies regarding contaminated sites.

•	General O.P. Changes

•	New Environment Section to include contaminated sites policies including the remediation of sites prior to re-use/ redevelopment.

•	OPA for Shirley's Brook and Watts Creek Subwatershed:

•	Incorporate any recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding contaminated sites.