October 4, 2017…

   October 4, 2017

  Ala Boyd

 Manager - Natural Heritage Section

 Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

 Policy Division

 Natural Resources Conservation Policy Branch

 300 Water Street

 Peterborough ON  K9J 8M5

  Dear Ms. Boyd:

  RE: EBR Registry Number 013-1014

 Criteria, methods, and mapping of the proposed regional Natural Heritage System for the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

  The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is pleased that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has taken the lead on producing a Natural Heritage System (NHS) for the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), and we appreciate the opportunity to comment.

  The SSEA’s mission is to sustain environmental quality achieved through previous restoration efforts, and ensure ongoing protection of Severn Sound and its tributaries through wise stewardship. The SSEA is a Joint Service Board under the Municipal Act, and works closely with nine lower tier municipalities and two upper tier municipalities in the Severn Sound area, as well as provincial and federal government agencies and non-government organizations. The SSEA works to keep water clean so it supports healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and has been actively involved in identifying and documenting natural heritage features for several member municipalities for use in their Official Plan updates.

  We offer the following comments on the Draft NHS:

  1.There are regional differences in existing natural heritage features and areas in the GGH Growth Plan area. For example, the composition and value of natural heritage features in north Simcoe County is quite different from elsewhere in the GGH. This should be recognized in protection policies.

  2.Legislation and policies are most effective when there is accurate, up-to-date information to support them. Local natural heritage information and data may be available from agencies such as SSEA and Conservation Authorities; in addition, municipalities in the SSEA area have developed natural heritage mapping to support their Official Plans. This local information has not been incorporated into the Draft NHS, and should be used to refine the provincial NHS, where available.

  3.When finalized, the NHS mapping and data should be easily accessible by agencies, to allow for integration with other planning information such as Source Water Protection.

  4.A mechanism is needed to allow for updates to the NHS in future, since natural heritage

 guidance, information, and the criteria for identification of features changes over time.

  5.There is a need for the Province to support and assist municipalities as they incorporate the

 NHS into their Official Plans.

  Thank you again for the opportunity to offer feedback on the proposed regional Natural Heritage System for the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. To ensure success, we trust that adequate resources will be committed in support of its implementation. The SSEA would be pleased to meet with you or further discuss these comments.

[Original Comment ID: 211106]