[All] Jefferson Salamander risks of limited habitat criteria & bait

Mon Oct 26 14:51:54 EDT 2015

Here's the latest on the known Jefferson salamanders in Barries Lake and how habitats with fish are being excluded from reasonable protection systematically because our ministry is failing to keep up with the data that proves they actually do exist in the same water features as fish under the right conditions. 
Lulu 
    ----- Forwarded Message -----
  From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
 To: Jim Bogart <jbogart at uoguelph.ca>; MIN Feedback (MNR) <minister.mnr at ontario.ca>; "premier at ontario.ca" <premier at ontario.ca>; "minister.moe at ontario.ca" <minister.moe at ontario.ca>; Thornton Ian (MNR) <ian.thornton at ontario.ca>; Rob Horne <rhorne at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "council at cambridge.ca" <council at cambridge.ca>; Anne Bell <anneb at ontarionature.org>; "anna at wildlandsleague.org" <anna at wildlandsleague.org>; Neil E. Taylor <neiletaylor at sympatico.ca>; Chris Gosselin <cgosselin at regionofwaterloo.ca>; Cornelisse Ken (MNR) <ken.cornelisse at ontario.ca>; Theresa McClenaghan <theresa at cela.ca>; Jackson Gail L. (MNR) <gail.jackson at ontario.ca>; "enviroinfo at ec.gc.ca" <enviroinfo at ec.gc.ca>; MPP Catherine Fife (Kitchener-Waterloo) <catherinefife at on.ndp.ca> 
 Sent: Monday, October 26, 2015 2:47 PM
 Subject: Jefferson Salamander risks of limited habitat criteria & bait

Dear Hon. Premier, respective ministers et al. 
I spoke at length with GRCA staff regarding the Jefferson find around Barrie's Lake in Cambridge Ontario that took place yesterday on October 25, 2015 on the property of area resident Paul Cabral The GRCA do have plenty of historical data about confirmed findings of these species at this location already. I knew that from reading the previous EAs as I crafted the Part II order request regarding the Cambridge West Master Environmental Servicing Plan and the GRCA also confirmed that too. It's public knowledge at this end so we were able to discuss the matter with candor. 
Data in the US suggests that Jeffersons do live in proximity to known fish habitats. Characteristics of bogs with hummocky topography means they can technically share the same water feature but are often separated from the larger predatory fish by the topography of area substrates, underwater or wood, debris, beaver dams etc.
Data in the US indicates the presence of salamanders in headwater areas living in branches where the water pools then recedes isolating water features as spring thaw water levels dry up. Such was the case with the West Side Lands OMB appeal I participated with.  There are little areas of intermittent water features formed and this part of the reason we secured wider buffer zone areas for Clair Creek as well. It's not only to protect the fish habitats but potential Jefferson habitats too.  
I was told today by GRCA staff that the presence of any fish in proximity to Jeffersons "reduces" the protection status because currently the recovery strategy and the MNR fail to view fish ponds or headwaters as suitable habitat spaces. This is flagging the fact that with the current system, it's not about where the animals are found, it is based on the discretionary power of officials to determine how suitable a habitat range is. In my view to omit headwaters and shared water features with fish is not science based approach at all but I am told, that Barrie's Lake salamander population isn't being as fully protected due to the presence of fish in Devil's creek and in the surrounding area which is downgrading the protection status for the known confirmed Jeffersons, Blue spotted and hybrid habitats in this particular area, so I'm told by GRCA staff.

In my view, the emphasis should be on the protection of the actual specimens. Each specimen in my view should be worthy the full power of it's relative protective legislation without exception. That in my view, is a more reasonable approach. We can't simply negate population because they don't fit into our definitions as outlined in the currently flawed habitat analysis. 
Salamanders do co-exist in proximity to fish habitats and that fact has been known for years. Just to bring that point home, I went to a local bait and tackle shop in Waterloo Ontario and I purchased a package of 8 lures that look just like Jefferson Salamanders. They are made by Lake Fort Tackle in Texas and are shown in the photograph I included in the attachments.  It cost me $6.95 for these garlic and salt impregnated lures. They stink to high heaven.  I would like to formally request from the ministries that such bait is strictly prohibit for sale in Ontario because it is teaching the general public, particularly children and youth to that it is OK to use these type of creatures as fishing bait in Ontario.  Although these lures are not physical animals there will be people who think it's OK to harvest these creatures after seeing products like this on the shelves.  
Secondly I would like to reopen the dialogue regarding Jefferson Habitat ranges to include ponded features with fish as well as headwater areas because areas like Barrie's Lake are examples of how the current definitions of habitat ranges are insufficient to protect existing known populations of endangered Jefferson Salamanders and hybrids.  
I want this Barrie's Lake population to receive the full protection of the law as mandated by the SARA Act, Ontario Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, PPS  in order to fulfill Canada's obligation with the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity. 
Thank you kindly for your time. 
Louisette Lanteigne700 Star Flower Ave.Waterloo OntN2V 2L2

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