ESAIEG is an advisory committee made up of volunteers with technical expertise from the Hamilton community who review Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) reports. EIS reports are submitted as part of a complete development application when land use changes are proposed within or adjacent to a significant natural feature, such as a wetland, woodland, Environmentally Significant Area (ESA), stream, or valley. These significant natural features are mapped within the Hamilton Rural and Urban Official Plans as Core Areas. ESAIEG’s recommendations are presented to the Planning and Development Department for consideration during the review of a planning application (i.e. re-zoning, plan of subdivision, or severance application).
What is a Core Area?
Core Areas are natural features that have been identified as significant and worthy of protection. They include the following:
- Environmentally Significant Areas
- Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs)
- All other wetlands
- Significant Woodlands
- Significant Valleylands
- Significant Wildlife Habitat
- Fish Habitat (streams, lakes, and wetlands)
- Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs)
- Habitat of threatened, endangered, and special concern species
- Rare habitat types, such as alvars, prairies, and savannahs
- Hydrologic features (seepage areas, and springs)
- Geologic features (karst, drumlins)
(Please note that the definition of a Core Area differs slightly in the Urban and Rural Area).
Why Protect ESAs?
Hamilton, like many other municipalities, identifies significant natural areas in its Official Plan as a means to protect natural areas and ecological functions. These areas are an important part of what makes Hamilton a great city. Hamilton has a wealth of significant natural areas that improve the quality of our air, water, and lives. Also, the Provincial Government, through the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Niagara Escarpment Plan, and Greenbelt Plan, requires that municipalities develop policies to protect natural heritage features. By identifying Core Areas and providing policies to protect and enhance them, the City of Hamilton ensures that these areas and the important functions they provide are preserved for the benefit of everyone.
How are Core Areas Identified?
The City and the Province have developed criteria and mapping to identify Core Areas. Some features are identified by the City (e.g. ESAs, Significant Woodlands) and others by the Province (e.g. Provincially Significant Wetlands, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest). The City, in partnership with the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and many others, has conducted comprehensive biophysical inventories of the major natural features in Hamilton. This data was collected in 1991-1993 (Natural Areas Inventory Project) and again in 2001-2003 (Nature Counts Project) and serves as the basis for identifying Core Areas in the Official Plan.
What Does it Mean to Own Land in a Core Area?
Development and site alteration within Core Areas is generally not permitted. Development and site alteration adjacent to Core Areas is not permitted unless it can be demonstrated that there are no negative impacts on the Core Area and its ecological functions. Within Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) and Habitat of threatened and endangered species, development and site alteration are not permitted; no development can occur in these areas.
The identification of a Core Area in the Official Plan means that extra consideration must be given to these areas in the development review process before any proposed land use change can take place, as shown below:
- Step 1: Proposal for land use change in or adjacent to Core Area – pre-consultation with City staff to determine requirements to address environmental issues.
- Step 2: Environmental Impact Statement prepared and submitted to the City
- Step 3: ESAIEG, the Conservation Authority, and City staff review the EIS report
- Step 4: City staff work with the landowner to ensure all environmental concerns are addressed.
Other Activities in Core Areas
Activities in and around Core Areas, such as removing vegetation, placing fill, or changing the soil grade can impact Core Areas by causing erosion, removing habitat for wildlife, or altering the flow of surface water. Please consider the following before beginning work on your land:
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If your property has been identified as part of a Core Area, it does NOT affect or impede the use of your land for agriculture. However, landowners are encouraged to use best agricultural practices. If you would like more information on best agricultural practices, please contact the Hamilton Halton Watershed Stewardship Project at 905-525-2181 Ext.164 or 165.
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If you plan to cut trees within a Core Area, you should be aware of the Regional Woodland Conservation By-Law. Please call the City of Hamilton, at 905-546-2424 Ext. 5552 or 1231 for more information.
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Before conducting any work in streams, wetlands, or shorelines, please contact your local Conservation Authority: