Significant Woodlands

The layer Forests greater than 4 hectares (ROP15_Forest4ha) is a component of Map 4 (The Countryside) of the Regional Official Plan (ROP) as adopted by Council on June 16, 2009, and approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on June 18, 2015. This layer represents one component of the provincial-level environmental constraints, as outlined in the Provincial Policy Statement. It may overlap with other environmental features such as wetlands or ESPAs. It is a subset of all forest cover in the Region, as captured by the For_RMW layer. Elements such as fence rows and regeneration, or recently reforested areas were excluded, based on data in the source layer. The remaining polygons were amalgamated where contiguous. Areas less than four hectares were then removed. As part of the land budget exercise for the new ROP, the boundaries of this layer were closely reviewed for any woodlands located within the Designated Greenfield Areas. Regional Planning staff will review the balance of the woodlands boundaries in 2016. Any changes to these boundaries would be implemented through a future amendment to the ROP.