Specified natural features in Natural Heritage System
 41. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and in addition to sections 37, 38, 39 and 40, this section applies to a person who is constructing, installing or expanding a renewable energy generation facility as part of a renewable energy project at a project location in the Protected Countryside.  O. Reg. 359/09, s. 41 (1). (2) This section does not apply to a person who is constructing, installing or expanding a renewable energy generation facility as part of a renewable energy project at a project location that is entirely within a Protected Countryside settlement area.  O. Reg. 359/09, s. 41 (2); O. Reg. 333/12, s. 14 (1). (3) In this section, a reference to a natural feature includes all or part of a sand barrens, a savannah, a tallgrass prairie and an alvar in the Protected Countryside.  O. Reg. 359/09, s. 41 (3). (4) No person shall engage in an activity described in Column 1 of the following Table in respect of a renewable energy generation facility as part of a renewable energy project at a project location that is in any of the locations in the Natural Heritage System that are described opposite the activity in Column 2 of the Table: Table  Item   Column 1 Activity   Column 2 Location in Natural Heritage System in which activity is prohibited 

  1.   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.   1. A southern wetland that is not a provincially significant southern wetland or within 50 metres of a southern wetland that is not a provincially significant southern wetland. 2. A sand barrens, savannah or tallgrass prairie or within 50 metres of a sand barrens, savannah or tallgrass prairie. 3. An alvar or within 50 metres of an alvar. 4. An area of natural and scientific interest (life science) that is mentioned in clause 27 (6) (b) or within 50 metres of an area of natural and scientific interest (life science) that is mentioned in that clause. 

  2.   Any construction, installation or expansion other than construction, installation or expansion described in Item 1.   1. A southern wetland that is not a provincially significant southern wetland or within 120 metres of a southern wetland that is not a provincially significant southern wetland. 2. A sand barrens, savannah or tallgrass prairie or within 120 metres of a sand barrens, savannah or tallgrass prairie. 3. An alvar or within 120 metres of an alvar. 4. An area of natural and scientific interest (life science) that is mentioned in clause 27 (6) (b) or within 120 metres of an area of natural and scientific interest (life science) that is mentioned in that clause. O. Reg. 333/12, s. 14 (2). (5) Subsection (4) does not apply if, as part of the application for the issue of a renewable energy approval in respect of the renewable energy project, the applicant submits, (a) an environmental impact study report prepared in accordance with the Natural Heritage Assessment Guide, that, (i) identifies and assesses any negative environmental effects of the project on a natural feature referred to in the Table to subsection (4), (ii) identifies mitigation measures in respect of any negative environmental effects mentioned in subclause (i), (iii) describes how the environmental effects monitoring plan set out in paragraph 4 of item 4 of Table 1 addresses any negative environmental effects mentioned in subclause (i), and (iv) describes how the construction plan report prepared in accordance with Table 1 addresses any negative environmental effects mentioned in subclause (i); (b) written confirmation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that the report mentioned in clause (a) has been prepared in accordance with the Natural Heritage Assessment Guide; and (c) any written comments provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to the applicant in respect of the project.  O. Reg. 359/09, s. 41 (5); O. Reg. 521/10, s. 24; O. Reg. 333/12, s. 14 (3-5); O. Reg. 97/16, s. 14. Natural Features and Water Bodies — Oak Ridges Moraine