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

The Minister of Natural Resources has approved an amendment to the NEP to modify existing policies to allow greater flexibility for the consideration of the development of agricultural uses, OFDUs, and ARUs. Specifically, the following amendments are approved:

1. That NEP Part 1.3.3.15 be added as follows:

   1.3.3.15. As part of maple sugar harvesting, the tapping of trees, the collection of sap, the placement of minor ancillary equipment or structures (e.g., collection tanks, vacuum systems), and the establishment of minor trails (i.e., without the addition of aggregate material or pavement) to facilitate the collection of sap. For greater certainty, this does not include maple syrup production or sale, or the construction of buildings or structures related to the processing of sap for maple syrup production or sale.

2. That NEP Part 1.4.3.2 be amended by removing the words “in prime agricultural areas” to read as follows:

   1.4.3.2. Agriculture-related uses and on-farm diversified uses.

3. That NEP Part 2.7.2 f) be added as follows:

   2.7.2 f). Expansions to existing buildings and structures for agricultural uses, agriculture-related uses and on-farm diversified uses, if it is demonstrated that: a) there is no alternative and the expansion or alteration in the feature is minimized; and b) the impact of the expansion or alteration on the feature and its functions is minimized and mitigated to the maximum extent possible.

4. That NEP Part 2.7.2 g) be added as follows:

   2.7.2 g). Agricultural uses, agriculture-related uses, and on-farm diversified uses in an Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, which is not also identified as any other Key Natural Heritage Feature, provided it has been demonstrated that the earth science values can be maintained and protected. Planning, design, and construction practices shall be identified that will keep disturbance to landform character to a minimum and ensure the protection of the geological or geomorphological attributes. 

5. That the following new definition be added to Appendix 2 of the NEP.

   Earth Science Value: values that relate to the geological, soil, and landform features of the environment.