Innisfil Official Plan OMB Approved - Town of Innisfil

Town of Innisfil Official PlanENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT4SECTION FOUR: ENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENTIntent:Although lands have been designated for environmental protection in the NaturalEnvironmental Area designation, development outside of these areas can haveimplications for the environment including the water quality of the Lake Simcoe andNottawasssaga River watersheds and potentially for public health and safety. Thepolicies of this section require additional consideration and study and possible mitigationthrough design and certain use prohibition within areas of potential environmentalconcern.Goals:To manage development such that impacts on the natural environment and humanhealth are avoided or minimized and opportunities are provided for the maintenanceof a high quality natural environment.Objectives:1. To protect, improve or restore the quality and quantity of water.2. To protect the municipal drinking water from contamination.3. To minimize disturbance to locally significant landforms.4. To ensure that development within the Town contributes to the protection,maintenance and enhancement of water and related resources and aquaticecosystems, on an integrated watershed management basis.5. To ensure that development promotes water conservation and supports the efficientuse of water resources on a watershed basis.6. To protect or enhance the quality and quantity of ground water and surface water andthe function of groundwater recharge/discharge areas and aquifers.4.1 GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AND DISCHARGE AREASIntent:Groundwater recharge and discharge areas are critical to the maintenance of aquifers aswell as contributing to stream baseflow and the maintenance of wetlands and associatedplant and animal communities. As such, the function of these areas needs to beprotected and maintained.86Adopted July 26, 2006 Approved by OMB May 2009, March 2010 & April 8, 2011