LAND-USE PLANNING REFORM IN ONTARIO - IMPLICATIONS FOR GREAT-LAKES SHORELINE MANAGEMENT

Recent planning reform in Ontario has focused on an interest in ecosys tem based land-use planning and management and will have significant i mpacts on the provincial Great Lakes shoreline management program. Sin ce the high water levels on the Great Lakes during 1985/86, the Ontari o Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and local conservation authorit ies (CAs) have been developing provincial policy and management plans to reduce property damage from flooding and erosion that occurs during frequent high-water-level events. The program reflects the long-stand ing interest in use of municipal land-use zoning regulations to contro l shoreline development in areas prone to flooding and erosion. Provin cial land-use planning reform underway since 1991 will have important implications by requiring a greater focus on land-use and environmenta l issues. Important lessons can be learned from the experience in Onta rio with regard to coastal one management in other regions where land- use planning can be greater linked to environmental protection and con servation.