Natural Heritage
The Natural Heritage Network (NHN) in Vaughan represents an interconnected system of natural features and the functions they perform. It reaches throughout the City and forms part of the larger York Regional Greenlands System.
The NHN is represented on Schedule 2 of the Vaughan Official Plan (VOP 2010). The protection and management of the NHN is guided by Chapter 3 of the VOP 2010. Chapter 3 of the VOP 2010 contains policies with respect to the Provincial Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (2017) (ORMCP) and Greenbelt Plan (2017), and clean air, water and soil protection in the City. It is the policy of Council to maintain the long-term ecological function and biodiversity of the NHN by utilizing an ecosystem function approach to planning that protects, restores and, where possible, enhances natural features and their functions.
The NHN comprises of three key components:
1. Core Features, such as valley and stream corridors, wetlands and woodlands, are natural heritage features identified to be protected and enhanced. Supporting these features and creating connections help establish a strong network.
2. Enhancement Areas are identified as the best opportunities on remaining undeveloped land to restore or renaturalize specific natural features, providing additional habitat and/or ecological connectivity.
3. Built-Up Valley Lands encompass developed and occupied lands located below the physical top of bank. Such lands are found in and around Woodbridge and Kleinburg in the Humber River Valley and contribute to the overall NHN.
What are “Core Features”?
In accordance with Section 3.2.3.4 of VOP 2010, Core Features of the NHN include, but are not limited to the following:
- Valley and stream corridors
- Woodlands
- Wetlands
- Fish habitat
- Significant wildlife habitat and habitat of endangered and threatened species
- Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA) and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)
- Key Natural Heritage Features (KNHF) and Key Hydrological Features (KHF) within the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Areas
Core Features are to be protected and enhanced by prohibiting development and/or site alteration in Core Features. Vegetation Protection Zones (VPZs) form part of the Core Features and are applied to alleviate negative impacts from surrounding uses. The size of the VPZ varies depending on the location and type of feature, as set out in VOP 2010, the ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan.
Establishment of Core Features and Development Limits
Where development abuts Core Features, it is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm the limit of the feature in consultation with the City, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and any other applicable regulatory authorities. As Core Features are to be protected and enhanced, establishing the precise location of these features is a critical component of determining the limit of development for a site. The following steps provide a basic overview of the delineation process:
- High level identification Core Features and any associated constraints and hazards (e.g. floodplain, slopes)
- Field staking exercise with the City and TRCA to confirm the physical constraints of the feature
- Completion of technical studies (e.g. Environmental Impact Study (EIS), Slope Stability Assessment, etc.) as required to confirm non-apparent constraints
- Plot all feature limits/constraints and required VPZs on a plan
- The outermost limit/greatest constraint of the feature and the applicable VPZ represents the limit of development
Ensuring the Protection and Enhancement of Core Features
In addition to requiring an appropriate VPZ, the City may also request various reports and plans to be submitted in support of a development application, which help to further ensure the protection and enhancement of adjacent Core Features. Some of the more common reports and plans include the following:
- Environmental Impact Study (EIS): In accordance with Section 3.2.3.8 of VOP 2010, development or site alteration on lands adjacent to Core Features shall not be permitted unless it is demonstrated through an EIS that the works will not result in a negative impact on the feature or its functions. As such, the purpose of an EIS is to determine the potential impacts, direct and indirect, of a proposeddevelopment application on the natural heritage system of an area. This includes, but is not limited to, a biophysical inventory and analysis, identification of constraints and opportunities, an assessment of impacts from the proposed activities as well as an analysis of mitigation measures net effects. An EIS must also consider the City’s environmental goals, objectives and policies as well as address the requirements of Federal, Provincial, Regional and Local policy. For more information, refer to the City's Environmental Management Guide and the TRCA's Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines.
- Natural Heritage Evaluation: In accordance with the ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan, an application for development or site alteration within 120 metres of a KNHF shall by accompanied by a Natural Heritage Evaluation (NHE). While similar to an EIS, the stated purpose of a NHE is to demonstrate that the proposed development or site alteration will have no adverse effects on a KNHF or its related ecological function. This includes identifying planning, design and construction practices that will maintain and, where possible, improve or restore the health, diversity and size of a KNHF and its connectivity with other KNHFs. For development applications on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the NHE must be completed in accordance with the ORMCP’s Technical Paper 8. A NHE for lands within the Greenbelt Plan area must be completed in accordance with the Greenbelt Plan's Technical Paper 1.
- Restoration Plan: A restoration plan depicts methods and strategies used to achieve multiple restoration goals for the site, including VPZ plantings and habitat enhancements. For more information, please refer to TRCA’s Post Construction Restoration Guidelines.
- Edge Management Plan: An edge management plan identifies how vegetation at the fringes of a development will be maintained and/or restored to its original state. For more information, please refer to TRCA’s Forest Edge Management Plan Guidelines.
Roles of the TRCA
The TRCA plays a critical role in the development planning process at the City of Vaughan. Under the provisions of Section 28.1 of the Conservation Authorities Act, the TRCA administers a Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits regulation known as Ontario Regulation 41/24. Through this regulation, the TRCA has the ability to:
- Prohibit, regulate or require the permission of the authority for straightening, changing, diverting or interfering with the existing channel of a river, creek, stream or watercourse, or for changing or interfering with a wetland where interference with wetlands and alterations to shorelines and watercourses might adversely affect those environmental features; and
- Prohibit, regulate or require the permission of the authority for development, if in the opinion of the authority, the control of flooding, erosion or dynamic beaches may be affected by development.
The main objectives of Ontario Regulation 41/24 are to ensure public safety and protect property with respect to natural hazards.. Under Ontario Regulation 41/24, any proposed development, interference or alteration within a Regulated Area requires a permit from the TRCA.
Is your property located within a TRCA Regulated Area?
- Please refer to TRCA’s online regulation mapping
- Alternatively, contact the TRCA directly at 416-661-6600 or planning&permits@trca.ca