Niagara Escarpment Commission - Approval of an amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan

Updates

The notice was updated on January 21, 2016 to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of this proposal and it is still being considered. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

Description of instrument

To amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) policies respecting Wooded Areas to include an objective, policies and definitions for the identification and protection of Significant Woodlands within the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area.

The proposed Amendment will introduce an additional policy under Wooded Areas, a sub-section on Significant Woodlands, and definitions related to Significant Woodlands and their Adjacent Lands. The proposed Amendment would not result in any changes to the current NEP mapping or land use designations.

The Amendment supports the overall objective of the NEP to provide for the maintenance of the Escarpment as a continuous natural environment, and to ensure only compatible development takes place. The Amendment also supports the objective to protect unique ecologic areas, which are considered to include large unfragmented wooded areas and Significant Woodlands. The Amendment involves harmonization and modernization of the NEP provisions in this policy area with that of the PPS (2005) and the Greenbelt Plan. The Amendment will ensure that the NEP is supporting a consistent and coordinated approach to the protection of woodlands through the various provincial plans and legislation and will support the municipal planning agencies in their requirement to identify and protect significant natural heritage features, such as Significant Woodlands.

Other public consultation opportunities

The Niagara Escarpment Commission mailed requests for comments on this amendment application to affected ministries, municipalities, interested agencies on September 30, 2010. At the same time, notice of this amendment application was placed in the following local Escarpment area newspapers: The St. Catharines Standard, Niagara This Week, Hamilton Spectator, Georgetown Independent, Milton Canadian Champion, Burlington Post, Caledon Enterprise, Orangeville Banner, Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin, Owen Sound Sun-Times and Wiarton Echo.