Environmental Protection Requirements
for Transportation Planning and Highway Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance

Oak Ridges Moraine Component

1. maintaining and, where possible, improving or restoring the health, diversity, size and connectivity of key natural heritage features, hydrologically sensitive features and the related ecological functions;
2. maintaining or restoring natural self-sustaining vegetation and wildlife habitat;
3. maintaining the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water;
4. maintaining groundwater recharge;
5. maintaining natural stream form and flow characteristics; and
6. protecting landform features.
   (O. Reg. 140/02, s. 11 (1)).

1. maintaining, and where possible improving or restoring, the health, diversity, size, and connectivity of key natural heritage features, hydrologically sensitive features and the related ecological functions;
2. maintaining, and where possible improving or restoring natural self-sustaining vegetation over large parts of the area to facilitate movement of plants and animals;
3. maintaining a natural continuous east-west connection and additional connections to river valleys and streams north and south of the Plan Area;
4. maintaining the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water,
5. maintaining groundwater recharge;
6. maintaining natural stream form and flow characteristics; and
7. protecting landform features.
   (O. Reg. 140/02, , s. 12 (1)).

1. protecting prime agricultural areas;
2. providing for the continuation of agricultural and other rural land uses and normal farm practices; and
3. maintaining the rural character of the Rural Settlements.
   (O. Reg. 140/02, s. 13 (1)).

1. maintain and, where possible, improve or restore the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water in the Plan Area;
2. rehabilitate as much of the site as possible;
3. maintain and, where possible, improve or restore the health, diversity, size and connectivity of any key natural heritage features on the site or on adjacent land; and
4. protect the geological or geomorphological attributes of any areas of natural and scientific interest (earth science) on the site or on adjacent land.
   ( O. Reg. 140/02, s. 35. (1)).

1. maintaining groundwater quantity and flow and stream baseflow;
2. protecting water quality;
3. protecting aquatic species and their habitat;
4. preventing increases in stream channel erosion; and
5. preventing any increase in flood risk.
   (O. Reg. 140/02, s. 46 (1) ).

¹When establishing if a transportation facility is permitted through the EA process the following hierarchy applies:

1. Demonstrate that the facility is needed;
2. Demonstrate that there is no reasonable alternative to what is being proposed;
3. Avoid to the extent possible natural heritage features, hydrologically sensitive features and related vegetation protection zones;
4. Minimize unavoidable effects.

1. Keep any adverse effects on the ecological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area to a minimum;
2. Maintain the ecological integrity of hydrological features, key natural heritage features and related vegetation protection zones;
3. Maintain the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water;
4. Maintain stream baseflows;
5. Protect aquatic species and their habitat;
6. Prevent increases in stream channel erosion;
7. Prevent any increase in flood risk; and
8. Be consistent with the applicable watershed plan, water budget and conservation plan.
   (O.Reg 140/02, s. 41, s. 43 and s.46).

1. The removal of vegetation, grading and soil compaction is kept to a minimum;
2. Soil migration from the construction area is prevented;
3. Exposed soils are stabilized as soon as is possible;
4. Chemical applications to suppress dust and control pests are kept to a minimum; and
5. Areas of impervious land use are minimized, while areas retained in a natural, undisturbed state are maximized.
   (O.Reg 140/02, s. 45 (2)).

1. Storage of petroleum fuels, solvents and chlorinated solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, construction equipment, inorganic fertilizers, road salt and contaminants listed in Schedule 3 (Severely Toxic Contaminants) to Regulation 347 (RRO 1990);
2. Generation and storage of hazardous waste or liquid industrial waste; and
3. Snow storage and disposal facilities.
   (O.Reg 140/02, s. 28).

1. Generation and storage of hazardous waste or liquid industrial waste;
2. Snow storage and disposal facilities; and
3. Underground and above-ground storage tanks that are not equipped with an approved secondary containment device.
   (O.Reg 140/02, s. 29).