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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING AND NATURE BASED EDUCATION
As a landowner in Ontario, if you are planning any development proposals or alterations that may affect environmentally sensitive and significant natural heritage features on your property, you may be required to have a qualified Ecologist prepare and submit a report that outlines the significant features of your property and how they will be protected or mitigated during development.
Environmental Impact Study (EIS/EIA)
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Wildfire Environmental services over 50 municipalities and 12 different Conservation Authority watersheds throughout Ontario.
An Environmental Impact Study (EIS), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), will outline what Significant Natural Heritage features and habitats are present i.e., significant woodlands, significant wildlife habitat, provincially significant wetlands, rivers/streams, fish habitat etc.
Additionally, the report will outline recommendations to avoid/minimize environmental impacts and propose initiatives to mitigate for any adverse impacts. A review of relevant Federal, Provincial and Municipal policy will be reviewed and addressed.
Our scope of practice will also involve consultation with members of your project team including, but not limited to, Engineers, Planners, Architects and Hydrogeologists. The goal is to collaboratively identify and implement proactive solutions to achieve your development plans.
Species at Risk Assessments
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Endangered and Threatened Species in Ontario are protected through the provincial Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Various Ontario Municipalities will require an in-depth Species At Risk (SAR) screening be conducted to confirm whether or not any Species at Risk or Species At Risk habitat is present within a proposed development site prior to development. Often, this will require a background review and in-field site assessments.
Some designated Species At Risk in Ontario include; Bobolink, Barn Swallow, Eastern Meadowlark, Butternut, Myotis Bats, Blandings Turtle, Eastern fox snake, Butlers Garter Snake, Eastern Whip-poor-will, etc.
Natural Heritage Evalutations (NHE)
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Development projects in certain parts of southern Ontario are subject to additional provincial legislation. In these instances, a Natural Heritage Evaluation (NHE) report may be required particularly on the Oak Ridges Moraine, Greenbelt, Niagara Escarpment, and Lake Simcoe watershed.
If you are looking to build on the Oak Ridges Moraine, Greenbelt, Niagara Escarpment, or Lake Simcoe watershed, you may be asked by your local municipality or Conservation Authority to provide a NHE report. An NHE will outline what Significant Natural Heritage features and habitats are present i.e., significant woodlands, significant wildlife habitat, provincially significant wetlands, rivers/streams, fish habitat etc.
Additionally, the report will outline recommendations to avoid/minimize environmental impacts and propose initiatives to mitigate for any adverse impacts. A review of relevant Federal, Provincial and Municipal policy will be reviewed and addressed.
Wildfire Environmental works in municipalities such as Adjala-Tosorontio, New Tecumseth, King, Caledon, Richmond Hill, Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, Uxbridge and others.
Often times a Oak Ridges Moraine Conformity Statements is also required.
Wetland Evaluations
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Wetlands in Ontario are evaluated, characterized and mapped in accordance with the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES). Wildfire Environmental is certified to conduct wetland evaluations as per the OWES mandates and criteria.
Wildfire Environmental is proficient at wetland classification and delineation.
Tree Preservation Plans
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Often, urban municipalities within Ontario require that trees be considered in development proposals. This is achieved in the preparation of an Arborist Report which requires a tree inventory/survey and assessment of trees within or near the development envelope. Additionally, the report will outline tree protection measures to be implemented during construction.
Some municipalities have established stand-alone tree protection by-laws, including Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Vaughan, and Burlington. Such by-laws typically require that any removal or impacts to trees above a minimum size (such as 10 cm diameter) require a permit and replacement with new trees. Other municipalities will protect trees through an application made under the Planning Act, ie Newmarket, Halton Hills, Newmarket and others.
Restoration & Compensation Planting Plans
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Occasionally, development initiatives will have negative impacts on Natural Heritage Features. In these cases, restoration measures are required.
Wildfire Environmental is proficient at writing up restoration and planting plans in terms of mitigation measures to create an “overall net benefit” to lands affected by development.
Wildfire Environmental will put together a restoration/planting plan which will reflect site conditions, species composition and the proposed type, number and assemblage of species to be planted. The report will include costing and availability of stock from local growers.
Wildfire Environmental is also able to carry out the physical restoration and planting works.
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
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If you are a Canadian citizen and own 10 a property in Ontario that has 10 acres of forest or more, you can qualify for a significant property tax reduction under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP).
Wildfire Environmental will walk you through the application process, submit the appropriate paperwork, inventory your lands and help you put together a Forest Management Plan. This document will be submitted to MFTIP for approval and can also be used to guide your stewardship practices on your lands.
Applications need to be submitted by June 30th to qualify for the tax incentive for January of the following calendar year.
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