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Ontario’s Crown Land Use Atlas

About Land Use Amendments

Background

A land use amendment is required to make a change in the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas (the Atlas). Exceptions include minor editorial or mapping corrections. Land use amendments to the Atlas are periodically needed to incorporate information resulting from new or changing government policies, public needs, changing resource conditions, new or refined information, and proposals for land use modification resulting from other processes.

The classification, type and level of public involvement, and decision will depend on the degree of change proposed, the complexity, and the level of contention surrounding the amendment.

Amendment Classification

Depending on the significance and impact of the proposed change, amendments are classified as: 1) administrative 2) minor, or 3) major. The level of documentation, public involvement and approvals is dependent on the amendment classification.

For more information on amendment classifications click here.

  1. Administrative Amendments - An amendment is classified as administrative when the intent of the amendment is one or more of the following:
     
    • a. document and implement a higher level government decision
    • b. correct minor errors or omissions
    • c. update information

    Public consultation is not required for administrative amendments.
     

  2. Minor and Major Amendments - If an amendment does not meet the criteria for an administrative amendment it is classified as either minor or major. Whether the amendment is classified as minor or major will depend upon three criteria:
     
    • a. change in land use intent
    • b. extent and level of public reaction
    • c. potential environmental effect

    Public consultation is required for minor and major land use amendments which would include a posting on Ontario's Environmental Registry.

 
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Amendment Review and Decision

After the public review period, MNR regional directors review and make decisions on land use amendments that are classified as minor. If the amendment involves a provincial park, Ontario Parks’ managing director would also review and make a decision on a minor amendment. The Minister of Natural Resources is the final authority for major land use amendments. All decisions are posted on the Land Use Amendment Index. Decisions on minor and major amendments are posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry. Approved amendments come in to effect the day that they are approved. If an amendment has been approved, the Atlas will be updated generally within one month of the decision.


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