TABLE F-2

POLICY AUDIT - NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

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 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES PROTECTION FRAMEWORK No Development/No Encroachment •	Lands where no development, site alteration or encroachment into the natural feature is permitted. •	PPS is based on a 2-level protection/ management framework for natural features/ areas in regards to development:

•	No Development/No Encroachment; and

•	Development Based on Environmental Impact Study.

•	No development or site alteration is permitted in Provincially significant wetlands located south and east of the Canadian Shield.

•	No development is permitted in areas containing significant portions of habitat of endangered and threatened species, as listed in the Regulations under the Endangered Species Act.

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

•	No development is permitted within areas subject to erosion, steep slopes and/or unstable slopes that pose a danger to human life and property. •	Regional O.P. is based on a 2-level protection/management framework for natural features/areas in regards to development:

•	No Development/No Encroachment; and

•	Development Based on Environmental Impact Study.

•	No development/no encroachment is permitted in areas designated Natural Environment Areas (A):

•	Significant natural areas of such high quality that development intrusion would pose a severe risk to their continued health i.e. Provincially rare vegetative communities, areas of endangered and threatened species, etc.

•	No development or site alteration is permitted in areas designated Provincially Significant Wetlands:

•	Provincially significant wetlands located south and east of the Canadian Shield.

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

•	No development is permitted within areas subject to erosion, steep slopes and/or unstable slopes that pose a danger to human life and property.

•	Establish designations and supporting policies for a 2-level protection/management framework for natural features/areas.

•	Designation of Provincially significant wetlands in an Environmental designation which permits no development/no encroachment.

•	Designation of significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species in an Environmental designation which permits no development/no encroachment.

•	Delineating the floodplain based on the 100 year storm and permitting no development/ no encroachment.

•	Delineating areas of unstable slopes and permitting no development/no encroachment.

•	O.P. contains a 2-level natural heritage features protection framework of no development/no encroachment and development based on environmental impact study.

•	All natural heritage features including Provincial significant wetlands are placed in a development based on environmental impact study designation; the no development/no encroachment designation is acquired through the development approvals process.

•	In the Urban Area, based on the results of environmental impact studies prepared in support of development applications, the core portions of the natural features being retained/protected from development are placed in a no development/no encroachment designation i.e. Natural Environment Area designation.

•	In the Rural Area the Marginal Resource (Restricted) designation which encompasses Provincially significant wetlands and Class 1-3 wetlands (Provincially significant wetlands located on the Canadian Shield) permits residential development based on an environmental impact study.

•	Natural Environment Area designation corresponds with the Natural Environment Area (A) designation in the Regional O.P.

•	Marginal Resource (Restricted) designation corresponds to the Natural Environment Area (B) in the Regional O.P.

•	Floodplain lands and areas of unstable slopes are in a no development type designation. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Natural Environment designation be renamed Natural Environment 1.

•	Natural Environment 1 designation and supporting policies be made "no development/no encroachment".

•	Provincially significant wetlands, areas of endangered or threatened species and hazard lands i.e. floodplain based on the 100 year storm be designated in the Natural Environment Area 1 designation.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding the protection and management of "no development/no encroachment" natural features. Development Based on Environmental Impact Study •	Lands where development is permitted in accordance with a site-specific/ feature-specific Environmental Impact Study which establishes the extent of the encroachment into the natural feature/area and identifies the measures required to mitigate the potential impacts that the proposed development may have on that natural feature/area and/or its ecological functions.

•	PPS places the following natural heritage features in this Development Based on Environmental Impact Study category:

•	Regionally and locally significant wetlands;

•	Areas of fish habitat;

•	Significant woodlands;

•	Significant wildlife habitat;

•	Significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest; and

•	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. •	Region O.P. applies the category of "development based on environmental impact study".

•	Development based on site-specific EIS is permitted in areas designated Natural Environment Areas (B):

•	Natural Areas with High Significance ratings in RMOC for maintaining biodiversity and ecological functions;

•	Class 1-3 wetlands (Provincially significant wetlands on the Canadian Shield);

•	Provincially Significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest; and

•	components of the National Capital Commission Greenbelt natural system.

•	Development based on a site specific/ feature specific EIS to establish the limit of encroachment is permitted in natural areas identified as Environmental Features in the General Rural Area (excluding consents):

•	Natural Areas with Moderate to High Significance ratings in RMOC for maintaining biodiversity and ecological functions. •	Designation of Class 1-3 wetlands in an Environmental designation which permits development based on environmental impact study.

•	Designation of natural areas with high significance ratings in RMOC for maintaining biodiversity and ecological functions in an Environmental designation which permits development based on environmental impact study.

•	Designation of ANSIs in an Environmental designation which permits development based on environmental impact study.

•	Identification of the following natural features on a Special Study overlay designation which requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study when a development is proposing encroachment into that feature:

•	Class 4-7 wetlands;

•	Areas of fish habitat;

•	Woodlands;

•	Wildlife habitat; and

•	Adjacent lands to Provincially significant wetlands, significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species, fish habitat, significant woodlands, significant wildlife habitat and significant ANSI's. •	All natural heritage features including Provincially significant wetlands start off in a development based on environmental impact study designation; the no development/no encroachment designation is acquired through the development approvals process based on the EIS.

•	O.P. does not contain a Special Study Schedule with overlay designations.

•	Schedule E - Environmental Constraints could be used in concert with Schedules A and B for the Urban and Rural Areas respectively; alternatively a separate Special Study Schedule could be developed. •	General O.P. Changes

•	Establish Natural Environment 2 designation and supporting policies for "development based on environmental impact study".

•	Class 1-3 wetlands, ANSIs and natural areas with high significance ratings in RMOC be designated in the Natural Environment Area 2 designation.

•	Based on the best available information from past and current natural features studies and subwatershed studies, identify natural features to be shown on the Special Study overlay Schedule.

•	Establish some policy direction regarding the type of Environmental Impact Statement that is required to facilitate the approval of encroachment into those features.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policies from the Subwatershed Study regarding the EIS requirements for natural features placed in the "development based on environmental impact study" category by the study. Environmental Impact Statements •	Study to demonstrate that a proposed development will not have an adverse impact on an adjacent significant feature and/or function. •	PPS requires the demonstration that there will be no negative impacts on the natural feature or its ecological functions:

•	from development on lands adjacent to a Provincially significant wetland or habitat of endangered and threatened species;

•	from development encroaching upon or adjacent to fish habitat, significant wetlands, significant woodlands, significant valleylands, significant wildlife habitat and significant Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest.

•	For proposed development on lands adjacent to significant wetlands require the preparation of Wetland Impact Studies to demonstrate that the development will not have adverse impacts on the adjacent significant wetlands and establish the environmental buffers/development setbacks.

•	For proposed development on lands designated Natural Environment Area (B) require the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements to demonstrate that the development will not have adverse impacts on the host significant natural features and establish the limits of encroachment into the features.

•	For proposed development on lands identified as having Environmental Features require the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements to demonstrate that the development will not have adverse impacts on the host significant natural features and establish the core portions of the features to be protected from development.

•	Policies/criteria addressing the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements.

•	Policies/criteria addressing the preparation of Wetland Impact Studies. •	Sect. 3.7.4 Wetlands requires proposed development on or adjacent to (Provincially) Significant Wetlands to carry out of some environmental analysis to determine impacts on those wetlands.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) requires proposed residential development to prepare appropriate studies to demonstrate that the development will not have adverse impacts on wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and woodlands on-site and/or adjacent lands. •	General O.P. Changes

•	In the new Environment Section establish formal policies regarding the scope, content and preparation of Wetland Impact Studies for proposed development on lands adjacent to Provincially Significant Wetlands.

•	In the new Environment Section establish formal policies regarding the scope, content and preparation of Environmental Impact Statements for proposed development on lands adjacent to Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species.

•	In the new Environment Section establish formal policies regarding the scope, content and preparation of Environmental Impact Statements for proposed development on and/or adjacent to significant wetlands, other wetlands, fish habitat, woodlands, wildlife habitat and ANSIs.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policies from the Subwatershed Study regarding the need/preparation of Environmental Impact Statements and Wetland Impact Studies. NATURAL AREA MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Protection of Forest Cover •	Strategies for conserving and enhancing existing tree cover and creating new forest areas. •	PPS contains no policy requirements regarding strategies for forest cover. •	Implementation of 30% target for forest cover in woodlands.

•	Implementation of municipal strategies for tree conservation and tree enhancement in conjunction with local municipalities, conservation authorities, development proponents, interest groups and the public. i.e. tree by-laws, public land management, design guidelines, tree planting plans, tree saving plans, etc.

•	Policies addressing forest cover targets.

•	Policies addressing joint public/private sector tree conservation and enhancement strategies. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refer to the conservation and protection of reforested areas.

•	Marginal Resource (Restricted) designation and Sect. 4.4 policies recognize the viability of the significant forestry resources.

•	Sect. 5 Urban Area Community Plans make provision for tree planting programs.

•	Sect. 6.4 Natural Environment Area makes provision for the preservation of ecologically sensitive urban forests. •	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing the protection of forest cover.

•	New Environment Section include policies addressing the preparation of forest cover targets.

•	New Environment Section include tree conservation and enhancement policies.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding strategies for conserving/enhancing forest cover. Protection of Water Resources •	Strategies for protecting groundwater and surface water quality and quantity. •	The protection or enhancement of groundwater and surface water quality and quantity and the function of sensitive groundwater recharge/discharge areas, aquifers and headwaters. •	Implementation of groundwater protection and management initiatives in conjunction with the host municipalities and development proponents.

•	Implementation of surface water protection and management initiatives in conjunction with conservation authorities, the local municipalities and development proponents.

•	Policies addressing the protection and management of groundwater.

•	Policies addressing the protection and management of surface water. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives refer in part to surface water issues i.e. flooding, poor drainage, wetlands; do not mention groundwater.

•	Sect. 3.7 Environmental Constraints addresses floodplains and wetlands.

•	Sect. 4.1.1 Rural Area addresses the requirement for an overall master drainage plan for new development areas with individual developments preparing site-specific stormwater management plans in accordance with the MDP.

•	Sect. 4.1.6 Rural Area addresses the requirement for industrial and commercial development proposals to prepare hydrogeological studies demonstrating site suitability for septic system and well and assess impact on area groundwater recharge.

•	Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) addresses requirement for residential development proposals to prepare studies demonstrating no adverse impacts on surface water and groundwater resources.

•	Sect. 5 Community Plans addresses the requirement for comprehensive stormwater management systems to accommodate urban stormwater drainage in each community.

•	Sect. 7 Municipal Services addresses the requirement for comprehensive stormwater management including the 100 year storm design standard for SWM systems. •	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing the protection of surface water and groundwater resources.

•	New Environment Section consolidate surface water and groundwater subsections and policies.

•	New Environment Section broaden protection of water resources to include ecosystem considerations as per watershed and subwatershed studies.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding strategies for conserving/protecting water resources.

Environmental Design •	Strategies for incorporating the natural landscape amenities into site design. •	The maintenance of the diversity of natural features in an area as well as their natural connections. •	Implementation of "design with nature" initiatives in conjunction with the local municipalities and development proponents. •	Policies addressing the retention of natural features through sensitive site design of development. •	Sect. 2.2 Plan Objectives does not refer to the retention of natural features through the development approvals process.

•	Sect. 4.1.6 Rural Area Industrial and Industrial Uses and Sect. 4.4 Marginal Resource (Restricted) address the retention of natural features in the planning and design of development.

•	Sect. 5 Community Plans refer to sensitive subdivision design to protect key natural features i.e. woodlots.

•	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing "design with nature"/sensitive environmental design.

•	New Environment Section consolidate environmental design policies.

•	New Environment Section broaden/ formalize policy requirement to address environmental design considerations i.e. BMPs, natural channel design, retention of natural vegetation, etc.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding environmental design strategies. Land Stewardship •	Strategies for the environmental management of land in private ownership. •	PPS contains no policy requirements regarding land stewardship. •	Implementation of private land stewardship initiatives in co-operation with the conservation authorities and the landowners.

•	Policies addressing a broader land securement program based on land acquisition and land stewardship. •	Sect. 10 Implementation addresses public land acquisition of lands.

•	O.P. contains no formal policies regarding land stewardship.

•	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing land securement for natural features protection and management.

•	New Environment Section include policies addressing a land securement program based on land acquisition and land stewardship.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy and designation changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding acquisition and/or stewardship to protect core natural features/areas. Environmental Monitoring •	Strategies for monitoring the health of the natural environment. •	PPS contains no policy requirements regarding environmental monitoring. •	Implementation of monitoring initiatives in co-operation with the conservation authorities and the local municipalities.

•	Policies addressing the on-going monitoring of the natural features, areas and/or systems in the City. •	Sect. 10 Implementation addresses monitoring of housing targets.

•	O.P. contains no policies regarding monitoring the natural environment.

•	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing monitoring the health of the natural environment in co-operation with other agencies/partners.

•	New Environment Section include policies addressing monitoring of the natural environment.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding monitoring of the natural environment. WATERSHED STRATEGIES Subwatershed Plans •	A plan initiated by a local municipality or identified through a watershed plan dealing with water management issues in the area drained by a particular river and its tributaries and forming part of a larger Ottawa River watershed. It will provide a greater level of detail than a watershed plan.

•	PPS contains no policy requirements regarding subwatershed plans. •	Implementation of subwatershed planning including the setting of subwatershed boundaries, identifying the need for subwatershed plans, co-ordinating the preparation of subwatershed plans in co-operation with affected local municipality(ies) and conservation authority (ies) and plan implementation in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders.

•	Policies addressing subwatershed planning. •	O.P. contains policies addressing stormwater management issues at the Community Plan and plan of subdivision level.

•	O.P. does not address subwatershed planning.

•	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing subwatershed planning in co-operation with other agencies and partners.

•	New Environment Section include policies addressing subwatershed planning.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes from the Subwatershed Study regarding subwatershed planning. Site Management Plans •	A plan developed for a particular development proposal in accordance with guidance set out in a subwatershed plan where that is available. Site management plans will include details on subdivision stormwater management, best management practices for stormwater, erosion and siltation control and details for enhancement and rehabilitation of natural features.

•	PPS contains no policy requirements regarding site management plans. •	Require site management plans to be prepared for review in conjunction with applications for plans of subdivision.

•	Policies addressing site management plans including the matters to be addressed to assess impacts and mitigation. •	O.P. contains policies addressing the preparation of stormwater management plans at the Community Plan and plan of subdivision level.

•	O.P. does not address natural features/ areas impact assessment and mitigation management at the site management plan level.

•	General O.P. Changes:

•	New Environment Section include goals/ objectives addressing site management plans.

•	New Environment Section include policies addressing the preparation of site management plans.

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

•	Incorporate recommended policy changes and requirements for site-specific/ area- specific natural features analysis from the Subwatershed Study regarding site management plans.