[All] Fwd: CoC-Guelph [ACTION]: Comment on Guelph's application to harm Jefferson Salamanders and damage potential habitat

[Norah & Richard]

I am sending this hoping that you will write to oppose this latest 
craziness of City of Guelph
in their request "to harm Jefferson Salamanders and to damage possible 
habitat".   Norah

Hello everyone,

As you likely know, the City is currently monitoring the wetland complex
slated to become the Hanlon Creek Business Park for evidence of the
Jefferson Salamander, a species at risk in Ontario. It has come to our
attention that, if the City does indeed find evidence for the existence
of Jefferson Salamander at the site, it is asking the Ministry of
Natural Resources for permission to harm Jefferson Salamanders and
damage their potential habitat. Yes, you read that correctly. Read the
text from the Environmental Bill of Rights website below:
_
"The City of Guelph, Belmont Equity (HCBP) Holdings Ltd. and Guelph Land
Holdings (the applicants) are applying for an agreement to mitigate
impacts Jefferson Salamanders and their habitat for the purpose of
developing the Hanlon Creek Business Park (HCBP), a new subdivision in
the City of Guelph._

The Jefferson Salamander is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario
List, in Ontario Regulation 230/08 under the Endangered Species Act,
2007 (ESA), as a threatened species. Clause 9(1)(a) of the ESA provides
that no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture or take a living member
of a species that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an
extirpated, endangered or threatened species. Clause 10(1)(a) of the ESA
provides that no person shall damage or destroy the habitat of a species
that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an endangered
or threatened species. Protection for Jefferson Salamander habitat came
into force in February 2010.

_The subject lands are currently being surveyed for the presence of
Jefferson Salamander. The survey began in March and will continue until
the end of April. If Jefferson Salamanders are found, the City of
Guelph, Belmont Equity (HCBP) Holdings Ltd. and Guelph Land Holdings are
requesting an authorization through an agreement to harm Jefferson
Salamanders and to damage potential habitat."_

The full details on the application can be found here:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA5NDE2&statusId=MTY0MzE5&language=en

Public comments on this application can be made now by emailing
esa.permits.agreements at ontario.ca and need to include the EBR Registry
Number 010-9560.

Those more comfortable with using mail or telephone can use the
following contact info:

James Fitzpatrick
Species at Risk Team Advisor
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division
Species at Risk Branch
300 Water Street
Floor 4
Robinson Place South Tower
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-5409
Fax: (705) 755-1788

The deadline for comments is May 10th.

Let's let the MNR know what we think about this idea!

CoC-Guelph.ca










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