Which act does the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry utilize to manage natural resources?

The correct choice is the Public Lands Act, which the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry uses to manage natural resources in Ontario. This act governs the management and use of public lands in the province, outlining regulations for activities such as land use planning, resource extraction, and conservation measures. By providing a legal framework for the management of these areas, the Public Lands Act supports sustainable practices and the responsible use of Ontario's natural resources.

The focus of this act is on maintaining ecological integrity and enabling public access to land while balancing competing interests such as recreation, resource extraction, and conservation. This demonstrates the ministry's responsibility in overseeing that land and resources are used in a way that promotes long-term sustainability.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned serve different purposes. The Environmental Protection Act focuses broadly on environmental protection measures and regulations related to pollution and environmental health. The Clean Water Act centers specifically on protecting sources of drinking water from contamination, while the Ontario Water Resources Act regulates water use and management but does not encompass the wide array of public lands management issues covered under the Public Lands Act.