Environment

Land use planning plays an important role in protecting natural assets, such as forests and wetlands, and in mitigating the impacts of climate change. The municipality has implemented a range of measures designed to promote sustainable land use:

• The Township Official Plan (2016) includes policies that speak directly to the impacts of climate change (B.16, C.79, E.21).
• Township Official Plan and the Community Planning Permit System By-law include wording regarding protecting vegetation and wetlands.
• The Community Planning Permit By-law has been implemented helping make the Township's vision from the Official Plan a reality by regulating how vegetation is removed and landscape is changed Township-wide. The By-law ensures the natural waterfront will prevail through the retention or restoration of natural shorelines and maintenance of vegetation, utilizing the benefits of native vegetative species.
• Township Official Plan encourages infill, intensification and redevelopment in communities (G.12, G.13)
• The Township has adopted a Community Improvement Plan to provide financial incentives and grants to enhance economic activity.
• The Township already uses the Community Planning Permit process to streamline the approach to the review and approval of development, throughout the entire municipality.
• The Township is in the process of reviewing and updating the Township’s Official Plan, which will review and update the Township’s environmental policies so that it is consistent with the Provincial and District legislation and policy plans. 
• To ensure responsible lighting, reduce light pollution and promote the conservation of a dark sky environment, the By-law to Regulate Outdoor Illumination was implemented in 2013. The By-law encourages the use of low-wattage, energy-efficient lighting in waterfront and rural areas to:
  • Reduce the impact on wildlife
  • Prevent hazards to navigation
  • To preserve the night sky
  • To preserve privacy

Small and rural communities rely on industries such as agriculture, natural resources, and tourism, which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, the Township of Lake of Bays has taken action in multiple ways:

• The Township Official Plan and Community Planning Permit By-law include wording regarding protecting vegetation and wetlands
• The Community Planning Permit By-law includes vegetation removal and site alteration in the definition of development. This system is used to better implement the policies of the Official Plan, especially as they relate to the preservation of the environment
• The Township currently encourages tree plantings, protection and enhancement of the environment and use of native plant species in plantings
• The Parks, Open Space and Recreation Strategy has been developed in order to guide Council and staff on park planning, facility redevelopment, facility expansion, partnership development and the delivery of programs, events and services. 

Transportation is the second-largest source of emissions, accounting for 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Current actions taken by the Township to mitigate climate change in this context include:

• A hybrid vehicle has been added to the Township's Parks and Facilities fleet
• A hybrid vehicle for By-law Enforcement has been added to the Township’s fleet
• Electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in Baysville
• Township Official Plan (2016) includes policies that speak directly to active transportation (B.19, C. 36, C.41, C.61, C.79, C.82, F.3, G.94, G.173)

The treatment and disposal of waste is another area of focus as it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in the country. 

• Waste management services are provided by the District of Muskoka and has been identified as an issue at the District level. Muskoka's Waste Strategy has established a roadmap for achieving 60 percent waste diversion, outlining the District's plan for reaching this goal.