[All] Proposed petition for MNR minister re: Hidden Valley Jeffersons.

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks

Data and mapping exists to clearly prove that over two test periods conducted over a two years, Jefferson Salamanders have been found and confirmed outside of the current MNR's critical habitat delineation in maps currently being used by the MNR and the Region of Waterloo in regards to the River Road Extension. These animals are technically within 300m of the breeding pond yet the MNR is not including them within the protection of the others in mapping. The tests have also excluded the study of other potential breeding ponds in the area close to the excluded jefferson population. In response I have drafted a preliminary petition to be released, calling for the MNR minister to intervene mandating proper testing of ALL potential habitats in the Hidden Valley Area and to call for a review of the current mapping being used to assure compliance to the Endangered Species Act. 

If GREN members could review the wording below I'd greatly appreciate it. The petition is crafted to be non adversarial with the goal to simply secure better data and policy compliance. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks! 

Lulu :0)
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Whereas Jefferson Salamanders have been listed as Endangered by COSWIC
 
Whereas populations of endangered Jefferson Salamanders have been confirmed by years worth of environmental assessments in Hidden Valley in the City of Kitchener Ontario in the Region of Waterloo.
 
Whereas areas within 300 metres of these wetlands, pools and ponds that provides suitable conditions for foraging, dispersal, migration or hibernation is protected as habitat .

Whereas suitable breeding areas to which Jefferson Salamanders may disperse, up to 1 kilometre away from protected breeding ponds are protected.
 
Whereas a proposed River Road Extension in the city of Kitchener  will damage known habitat areas within Hidden Valley where Jefferson Salamanders were confirmed during years of EA studies. 
 
Whereas populations of confirmed Jefferson Salamanders, found within the 300 meters of their breeding pond, are currently being excluded from the critical habitat delineation in maps currently provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the River Road Extension. 
 
Whereas previous environmental assessments for the River Road Extension negated to review all the potential breeding ponds in the Hidden Valley area.
 
Whereas Canada has ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and established Provincial policies to protect biodiversity including the Ontario Endangered Species Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Provincial Policy Statement.
 
Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has the mandate to promote healthy, sustainable ecosystems and conserve biodiversity.
 
We the undersigned concerned citizens of Ontario hearby request that the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources mandate a new environmental assessment to review and identify all potential Jefferson Salamanders, their breeding ponds, habitats and expansion areas in Hidden Valley in Kitchener Ontario in order to secure reasonable habitat delineation to protect and preserve these endangered species in compliance to our existing laws and international commitments. 
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