Natural heritage, site investigation
 26. (1) Subject to subsection (1.1), for the purposes of conducting a site investigation mentioned in paragraph 2 of subsection 24 (1), a person who proposes to engage, as part of a renewable energy project, in an activity described in Column 1 of the following Table shall ensure that an investigation set out opposite the description in Column 2 of the Table is conducted, either by visiting the site or by an alternative investigation of the site, for the purpose of making the determinations set out opposite the description in Column 3 of the Table: Table  Item   Column 1 Description of activity   Column 2 Investigation   Column 3 Determinations to be made 

  1.   Any of the following activities: 1. The construction, installation or expansion of a transmission or distribution line. 2. The expansion of an existing transformer station, distribution station or transportation system. 3. If it is engaged in with respect to a Class 3 solar facility, any construction, installation or expansion in addition to the activities described in paragraphs 1 and 2.   Investigation of the air, land and water within 50 metres of any part of the project location on which the activities described in Item 1 of Column 1 are engaged in.   1. Whether the results of the analysis summarized in the report prepared under subsection 25 (3) are correct or require correction, and identifying any required corrections. 2. Whether any additional natural features exist, other than those that were identified in the report prepared under subsection 25 (3). 3. The boundaries, located within 50 metres of the project location, of any natural feature that was identified in the records review or the site investigation. 4. The distance from the project location to the boundaries determined under paragraph 3. 

  2.   Any activity other than the activities described in Item 1.   Investigation of the air, land and water within 120 metres of any part of the project location on which the activity described in Item 2 of Column 1 is engaged in.   1. Whether the results of the analysis summarized in the report prepared under subsection 25 (3) are correct or require correction, and identifying any required corrections.  2. Whether any additional natural features exist, other than those that were identified in the report prepared under subsection 25 (3). 3. The boundaries, located within 120 metres of the project location, of any natural feature that was identified in the records review or the site investigation.  4. The distance from the project location to the boundaries determined under paragraph 3. O. Reg. 333/12, s. 6 (1). (1.1) The person mentioned in subsection (1) may conduct an alternative investigation of the site only if he or she determines that it is not reasonable to conduct a site investigation by visiting the site.  O. Reg. 521/10, s. 15 (2). (2) For the purposes of this section, “natural feature” includes all or part of, (a) a sand barrens, a savannah, a tallgrass prairie and an alvar, if the site investigation is being conducted in respect of a project location that is in the Protected Countryside; and (b) a sand barrens, a savannah and a tallgrass prairie, if the site investigation is being conducted in respect of a project location that is in the portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area that is subject to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.  O. Reg. 359/09, s. 26 (2). (3) The person mentioned in subsection (1) shall prepare a report setting out the following with respect to the air, land and water in respect of which any site investigation was conducted: 1. A summary of any corrections to the report prepared under subsection 25 (3) and the determinations made as a result of conducting the site investigation. 2. Information establishing the type of each natural feature identified in the records review and in the site investigation. 3. A map showing, i. all boundaries required to be determined under Column 3 of the Table to subsection (1), ii. the location and type of each natural feature identified in relation to the project location, and iii. all distances required to be determined under Column 3 of the Table to subsection (1). 4. A summary of methods used to make observations for the purposes of the site investigation. 5. The name and qualifications of the person conducting the site investigation. 6. If an investigation was conducted by visiting the site: i. The dates and times of the beginning and completion of the site investigation. ii. The duration of the site investigation. iii. The weather conditions during the site investigation. iv. Field notes kept by the person conducting the site investigation. 7. If an alternative investigation of the site was conducted: i. The dates of the generation of the data used in the site investigation. ii. An explanation of why the person who conducted the alternative investigation determined that it was not reasonable to conduct the site investigation by visiting the site.  O. Reg. 521/10, s. 15 (3); O. Reg. 333/12, s. 6 (2).