Crown Land and Resources

Information on access to and use of Crown land and resources and the requirements under various legislation administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) are outlined below. Click here for a link to MNR’s website or dial toll free 1-800-667-1940 to be directed to the district office you need to speak to.

Crown Land

Some mining facilities may require the acquisition of Crown lands under the Public Lands Act administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources. These circumstances are usually related to the acquisition or some form of land tenure to accommodate access or infrastructure such as roads, power lines, pipelines and other facilities. Further information related to the buying and renting of Crown land acquired under the Public Lands Act is available.

Land Use Designations

Land use restrictions, on the project lands or on adjacent lands may have an impact on the project. Land restrictions such as parks or protected areas can be reviewed on Websites such as CLAIMaps (Claim Maps) and the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. Contact your local MNDM and MNR offices for additional information or visit MNR's Land Use & Environmental Planning website.

Requirements for Cutting Crown Timber

A forest resource licence is required to cut Crown-owned timber. Contact your Ministry of Natural Resources district office for information on the permit requirements.

Aggregate Sources

Aggregate supplies may require permits or licences. For further information, see aggregate.

Work Permits

Work Permits are required by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for certain types of work on Crown land such the construction of roads and buildings. Information regarding work permit requirements can be found at the MNR website. With the exception of water crossings, work permits are not required if the work is on property where the surface is leased or patented. See myLaws - Work Permit-PLA.

Mining/Construction Camps

Construction of a camp requires a work permit if on Crown land (see Work Permits above). Camp health and hygiene in an unorganized area are regulated by the Health Protection and Promotion Act administered by the Ministry of Health and community public health units. A Notice of Camp Opening is required for field camps serving five or more persons. These requirements are outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 554 Camps in Unorganized Territory. See myLaws - Notice of Camp Opening.

Fire Prevention

Operations must comply with the Forest Fires Prevention Act. Information regarding the requirements of the Act and fire safety can be found on the Ministry of Natural Resources website under forest fire management.

In addition, if the project is within a municipality, additional restrictions and requirements may apply; contact your local municipality for information.

Access and Roads

Public forest access roads:

Public forest access roads can be opened or closed at the discretion of the MNR - District Manager by authority of the Public Lands Act S.52. The District Manager may also grant a permit for travel under terms and conditions he or she may consider advisable. Access roads may closed by barricade, or posting of signage. Proponents should contact the local MNR office for current road conditions and closures.

Portages:

Under the Public Lands Act where public lands over which a portage have existed or exists has been sold or otherwise disposed of, any person travelling on waters connected by the portage has the right to pass over and along the portage with the person's effects without permission or payment to the owner of the lands.

Working in or near Water

Water crossings, including culverts, bridges and winter ice bridges, may require approval through a work permit from MNR. This generally applies to all water crossings whether on Crown, municipal or private land. Information regarding work permit requirements can be found at the Ministry of Natural Resources website here. Work permits are often issued under the Public Lands Act (PLA). See myLaws - Work Permit-PLA. A water crossing located on municipal or private land may also require a work permit issued under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (LRIA). Readers are advised to contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources office to determine if such a work permit is required. See myLaws - Authorization–LRIA. 

In areas under the jurisdiction of a conservation authority, some activities may be managed or regulated by the conservation authority. Please contact the local conservation authority for more information.

In circumstances where there is potential to affect fish or fish habitat, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the local conservation authority and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) must be contacted. Proper planning and care must be taken to mitigate impact on water quality and fish habitat. Where impact on fish habitat is unavoidable, a Fisheries Act Authorization will be required from DFO. See myLaws - Fish Habitat Authorization.

Dams and Diversions

The construction of dams, dikes and diversions require approvals under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (LRIA). “Dam” under the Act means a structure or work forwarding, holding back or diverting water and includes a dam, tailings dam, dike, diversion, channel alteration, artificial channel, culvert or causeway. Approvals are obtained through the Ministry of Natural Resources. See myLaws - Approval–LRIA. 

In areas under the jurisdiction of a conservation authority, some activities may be managed or regulated by the conservation authority. Please contact the local conservation authority for more information.

In circumstances where there is potential to affect fish or fish habitat, the Ministry of Natural, Conservation Authority and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) must be contacted. Proper planning and care must be taken to mitigate impact to water quality and fish habitat. Where impact on fish habitat is unavoidable, a Fisheries Act Authorization will be required from DFO. See myLaws - Fish Habitat Authorization.

Dredging

Dredging may be required for navigation purposes for some mining operation needing access to water transportation. Dredging may require approvals from a number of government bodies including the Ministry of Natural Resources under the Public Lands Act. See myLaws – Work Permit-PLA. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has several useful publications on dredging.

Approvals may also be required under the Federal Fisheries Act. Marine dumping of dredge spoils requires the approval of Environment Canada. See myLaws - Permit to Dispose of Waste (Dredgate) in Canadian Marine Waters.

Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects (RSFDP) 

A Class EA - Resource Stewardship and Facility Development (RSFDP) process applies to many approvals issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Typically these are approvals related to Crown land or resource dispositions and other projects such as water crossings and roads on Crown land. For more information, see environmental assessment.

Oil, Gas and Salt Resources of Ontario

The Ministry of Natural Resources administers the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act for Ontario. Information is available on the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources website. Technical information and related links can be found in the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library website.