Municipal Planning for Public Safety Related to Natural Hazards and selected Human-made Hazards

MNR has the lead responsibility for protecting life, public health, property and natural resources for the purposes of the Provincial Policy Statement. This involves protecting Ontarians from both natural hazards (includes flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches) and selected human-made hazards (includes former mineral aggregate operations or petroleum resource operations) by directing development away from areas where an unacceptable risk exists.

Natural Hazards Guidance

MNR has issued guidance material for natural hazard policies of the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) to assist planning authorities and other participants in the land use planning system. The following material should be consulted when implementing natural hazard polices of the PPS:

Understanding Natural Hazards

• introductory guide for public health and safety policies 3.1 of the PPS

Adaptive Management of Stream Corridors in Ontario including Natural Hazards Technical Guides

• set of interactive PDF documents on CD that integrate key provincial guidelines for natural hazards within a harmonized framework of watercourse management
• provide best technical design practices within an adaptive environmental management model which includes guidelines for preparing subwatershed plans and stormwater management plans

In areas of the province covered by a conservation authority, responsibility for PPS natural hazards policies rests with the local conservation authority. For more information visit the Conservation Ontario website.

Selected Human-Made Hazards Guidance

Where MNR is the lead for selected human-made hazards (includes former mineral aggregate operations or petroleum resource operations), guidance and information on the location of hazards is available by visiting the related links below.