Approved Land Use Strategy > Implementation
9.0 IMPLEMENTATION
9.1 Status of the Strategy
The land use intent outlined in the Land Use Strategy provides context and direction to land use, resource management, and operational planning activities on Crown land.
The Strategy replaces the Northwest and Northeast Strategic Land Use Plans, and the Southern Ontario Coordinated Program Strategy, for the planning area. Wherever the Strategy and the 1983 District Land Use Guidelines address the same topics, the Strategy provides the current direction. The District Land Use Guidelines will continue to provide some detailed land use and resource-management direction, particularly for the General Use Areas, which have not been dealt with in the Strategy. Local land use direction will be brought into conformity with the Strategy through subsequent planning.
The approved MNR land use plans for the Madawaska Highlands and Temagami will continue to guide planning and management activities for these specific planning areas. The plans for these areas are deemed to be part of the Strategy.
The Strategy does not directly affect land use on private lands. Municipalities or the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (under the authority of the Planning Act) have control of land use on private land in municipalities. The Strategy should assist municipalities and other government agencies in areas where they are responsible for making decisions about land and resource use.
9.2 Environmental Assessment Act Requirements
The policy framework set out in the Land Use Strategy provides greater clarity and direction with respect to where and how MNR activities, and private sector activities guided by MNR, may be carried out. However, the Strategy does not relieve MNR of its obligations under the Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act). MNR's existing EA Act "instruments" (i.e., Approvals, Exemption Orders, Declaration Orders) will continue to apply to the range of activities that MNR may propose be carried out in the future following adoption of the policy framework in the Strategy.
The Ministry of Natural Resources currently has a number of instruments in place under the EA Act, in addition to the general exemptions under EA Act Regulation 334, which apply to the carrying out of MNR activities. These instruments have been developed over time to ensure that all MNR activities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the EA Act. These activities include broad Ministry programs such as timber management, forest fire management, Provincial Park and Conservation Reserve management, fish and wildlife habitat and population management, as well as the supporting functions of land acquisition, and the disposition of rights to Crown resources. MNR's EA Act instruments also cover project-level activities such as the construction of access roads and access points, solid waste disposal sites, dams, dykes and water control structures, stream bank rehabilitation, fishways and fish stocking.
Where any new undertakings are proposed in the Strategy, which are not covered under MNR's existing EA Act instruments, the Ministry will need to obtain new Approvals or Declaration Orders before proceeding. Based on an analysis of the Land Use Strategy, it is expected that this will only be required for establishing by regulation the recommended new Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves.
9.3 Keeping the Land Use Strategy Current
In the future, new circumstances may require revisions to the Strategy. Amendments may be needed to respond to changing resource conditions, new or refined information, proposals for land use change resulting from other processes, or changing government policies or public need.
Proposed amendments must not substantially alter the overall intent of the Strategy. An amendment to the Strategy may be requested of the Minister by any party at any time. Requests for amendments will be reviewed, and the Minister will determine whether to initiate a Strategy amendment process, refer the request to another process, reject the request, or defer consideration.
Amendments will be classified as either minor or major. The Strategy will be amended using the following process:
Minor amendments are those changes that do not alter the original intent of the Strategy, have a negative effect on the public or adjacent landowners, or have any significant environmental impacts. The MNR Regional Office will review all proposed minor amendments that are primarily local in nature. Minor amendments will be approved by the MNR Regional Director and the Director, Land Use Planning Branch.
Major amendments are those changes that do not affect the intent of the Strategy, but which may have significant social, economic, or environmental impacts. Major amendments will be reviewed by the MNR Regional Director (where a proposed amendment has significant local implications) and the Director, Land Use Planning Branch, and recommendations will be submitted to the Minister for decision. Public consultation will occur for all major amendments, including posting on the Environmental Bill of Rights electronic registry.
As part of any amendment process, it may be desirable to draw on the dispute resolution process that the Ministry will be establishing.
If a comprehensive review and renewal of the Land Use Strategy is required, consideration will be given to carrying it out under the amended provisions of section 12 of the Public Lands Act related to planning for public lands.
9.4 List of Amendments
2002_03 - Recognition of existing regulated Wilderness Areas
2004_02 - Approval of the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas as the Official Source of Area Specific Land Use Policy for central and mid-northern Ontario (OLL planning area).
Modified: January 31, 2007