[All] Hidden Valley: Consultation with Wildlands League

[Gregory C. Michalenko]

The Waterloo region Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC) met last Tuesday to once again consider proposals for the River Road Extension.  A report was submitted with recommendations for detailed studies for the implementation phase.  I think it would be worthwhile to check that before GREN decides anything about further actions, so that anyone interested can have an up to date understanding of where the project now sits.  Regional Council meets tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:30 to consider the final "option 5" for the project.
- Greg Michalenko
________________________________
From: All [all-bounces at gren.ca] on behalf of Louisette Lanteigne [butterflybluelu at rogers.com]
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2014 12:27 PM
To: all at gren.ca
Subject: [All] Hidden Valley: Consultation with Wildlands League

Hi Everyone

I spoke with Anna Baggio, the director of Conservation Planning for CPAWS Wildlands League in Ontario in regards to the River Road Extension project.

She said the strongest stance we can take at this point in time is to recognize that the current plan for the River Road Extension shows dramatic improvements upon the original design but it needs further work in regards to improvements towards the secondary non essential features of the road extension. This is very much the same approach being taken by Neil Taylor.

Here are my recommendations for GREN to support in regards to Hidden Valley to support Neil's Efforts:

We should request the elimination of the eggress from Old Hidden Valley Rd to the new extension in order to better protect the existing PSW and curb the risk of road kill mortality. Reduced traffic means reduced pollution, reduced road salts and would result in less costs for taxpayers. The removal of the eggress will better protect the existing PSW which is needed to protect the habitat expansion area for the long term.

We should also request the abolishment of side walks and walking trails along both sides of the River Road extension. Sidewalks are non-essential to the function of the roadway and the less public encroachment of the area the better to curb litter, dog droppings, impervious surfaces etc. By abolishing side walks it can reduce costs for taxpayers and associated liability risks regarding the need to clear snow etc.

Neil Tailor notes that the road extension only relieves traffic on Fairway from Manitou/Courtland to Best Buy and that then traffic is forced back onto Fairway for about 100 metres for those who wish to use # 8 to get to the 401.

The current project is estimated to cost $72 million. Are there other ways we could relieve the traffic by a bump up public transportation along this corridor rather than rely on building more roadways? $72 million could be used to purchase a fleet of 144 hybrid buses (at $500,000 per bus) or it pay for an additional 3km to add to our light rail system without degrading the natural capital infrastructure.

According to Ms. Baggio here are other actions GREN can take:

1. Craft a letter that they bump up the River Road Extension to a Class EA SCHEDULE D: Higher ecological constraint. Details on Class D processes can be found here:  http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_040153_e.htm#BK89

2. The letter to bump up to Class D should be shared with the following: MNR minister, Ministry of Transportation, City, Region, MPP for Kitchener, the Proponant (Mr. Drackley of IBI) and CC'd to an MNR biologist Jim Bogart. We could also send to the Ecological Advisory Councils at Kitchener & the Region and GRCA biologist for their reference.

3. We need to request that the Region pursue the proper authorization for ALL threatened and endangered species identified in proximity to this project.
The EIS data of LGL has identified the presence of the following species in Hidden Valley:

-Jefferson Salamanders (Threatened)
-Barn Swallow (Threatened)
-Butternut Trees (Endangered)
-Chimney Swift (Threatened)
-Bobolink (Threatened)
-Milk Snake (Special Concern)
-Snapping Turtle (Special Concern)
-Nighthawk (Special Concern)
-Bald Eagle (Special Concern)
-Canada Warbler (Special Concern)
-The Endangered Butternut trees

Suitable Habitats exist for the following species but there is a lack of data to confirm if they are in Hidden Valley:

-Least Bittern (Threatened)
-Rusty Patch Bumble Bee (Endangered)
-Northern Myotis aka Long eared bat (Endangered)

I have a webpage with the photos from the last public open house.  I photographed the pages from LGL listing the data regarding the rare species in their reports: https://www.flickr.com/photos/64027613@N00/sets/72157636164364475/

4. Create a Petition which we can then send through MPP Catherine Fife (My MPP) asking for the Government to protect the various endangered species of Hidden Valley. (Format on Ontario Legislature site. When Catherine presents it, we can then inform the KW Record of this.

5. Keep Ms. Baggio up to date on this at  info at wildlandsleague.org<http://info@wildlandsleague.org/> and contact Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature at  anneb at ontarionature.org<mailto:anneb at ontarionature.org> and  Anastasia Lintner, staff lawyer at Ecojustice at alintner at ecojustice.ca<http://alintner@ecojustice.ca/>




-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20140303/9e110ce5/attachment.html>