Short Survey about Environmental Policy

We’ve heard through responses to our “Six Questions About Growth in Waterloo Region” survey (conducted through Engage from July 2020-August 2020) that environmental protection is a top priority. As we review the Regional Official Plan (ROP), a key document that will guide growth and development in the Region to 2051, part of the review includes updating the policies that protect some of the environmental areas, or “natural heritage areas” as they are referred to in this survey. These policies are included in the “The Greenlands Network” Section of the ROP. 

The purpose of this part of the update is to ensure that regional policies align with current provincial policies and regulations. We will also look at how we can best protect our natural heritage areas, such as woodlands, wetlands, streams and other valuable natural areas.

Proposed Approach

As we look to the future, it’s important that we review and update our current natural heritage policies. What’s working, what’s not working, and what could be improved?  Our proposed review approach is based on four objectives:

1. ensure our current environmental protections are maintained, while considering opportunities to refine or enhance our natural heritage system where appropriate;
   
   
2. review and update the Region’s current natural heritage policies to align with Provincial planning documents, including incorporating a new Provincial Natural Heritage System and a new Water Resource System;  
   
   
3. refine the boundaries of the Region’s existing Core Environmental Features (Significant Woodlands and Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas) to improve mapping accuracy; and,
   
   
4. explore any new ideas and opportunities to better protect our natural environment for current and future generations.

We want to hear from you!

Please click the link below to complete the five to 10 minute survey. The survey will be online until November 2, 2020.