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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial; PADDING-TOP: 10pt">----- Original Message -----
<DIV><B>From:</B> <A title=mailto:info@ontarionature.org
href="mailto:info@ontarionature.org">Ontario Nature</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=mailto:gordanddaph@sympatico.ca
href="mailto:gordanddaph@sympatico.ca">gordanddaph@sympatico.ca</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> October 2, 2009 10:57</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Action Alert: DONT LET PERMITS WEAKEN THE ENDANGERED
SPECIES ACT</DIV></DIV>
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<H1>DON'T LET PERMITS WEAKEN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT</H1></CENTER>
<P><STRONG>EBR Registry No. 010-7651</STRONG>
<P>The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is currently seeking a permit for a
large project in the Windsor-Essex region. MTO intends to rebuild a border
crossing plaza and link it to Highway 401 via a six lane highway, which will
have a severe impact on more than half a dozen threatened and endangered
Carolinian species and the habitat they depend on. If granted, this will
be the first permit of its kind under the new Endangered Species Act (ESA).</P>
<P>The Windsor-Essex region is especially rich in biodiversity, yet is
crisscrossed by roads and fragmented by development. Under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA), permits can be granted that allow at-risk plants and animals,
and their habitat, to be damaged or destroyed, if it can be demonstrated that
the social and/or economic benefits are so great that the damage to wildlife is
warranted. Moreover, mitigation measures must be established as part of
the permitting process.</P>
<P>In this case, several of the mitigation measures being proposed are untested
and unprecedented and significant losses of Butler's gartersnake and colicroot
will be the likely result. In addition, key documents for this permit are not
being disclosed to the public, making it almost impossible to determine if the
mitigation strategies are adequate.</P>
<P>We must ensure that this permit does not erode the protection of wildlife and
their habitat under the ESA. The plants and animals that will be directly
impacted by this project are: Butler's gartersnake; eastern foxsnake, colicroot;
dense blazing star; willowleaf aster; Kentucky coffee-tree; dwarf hackberry; and
common hop-tree. Projects that damage or destroy species and their habitat
must be rigorously planned and carefully monitored. A precautionary approach to
mitigation should be taken, based on sound science. With respect to this
project, where mitigation will not result in an overall benefit to the species,
MTO should be required to identify, purchase and designate a large tract or
tracts of land in the Windsor area that will fully compensate for the impacts to
species at risk and their habitat. <BR><BR>Please keep in mind that original
responses are weighed more heavily than are form letters. We suggest that
you use the following points to draft your own letter and either post it online
to the link below or send a hard copy to the listed address by <STRONG>October
8, 2009</STRONG>. <STRONG>Be sure to reference the EBR registry number:
010-7651.</STRONG> Please also take the time to forward a copy of your comments
to Amber Cowie, at <A title=mailto:amberc@ontarionature.org
href="mailto:amberc@ontarionature.org"><SPAN
class=bodylink>amberc@ontarionature.org</SPAN></A>. </P>
<P>If you are pressed for time, a sample letter has also been prepared. Please
cut and paste the text below, post it on the EBR or send a hard copy to the
address at the bottom of this page.</P>
<P>Main points: </P>
<UL>
<LI>Mitigation measures may not be effective in an area with high habitat
fragmentation. Every species affected by this permit currently exists in an
already heavily fragmented environment; each species also faces habitat loss
as one of the greatest threats to its existence. In an area where natural
spaces are isolated and few in number, even successfully tested relocation or
transplantation strategies may not work as well as in other areas.
<LI>The use of untested mitigation strategies is at odds with the ESA's
precautionary principle. An area of such heavily fragmented habitat is not a
good testing ground for untried mitigation strategies. The proposed mitigation
approaches for colicroot and Butler's gartersnake have never been attempted,
despite the fact that if the strategies do not succeed, there will be no
second chances.
<LI>Two critical pieces of information have not been made publicly available:
<UL>
<LI>the original permit application from the Ministry of Transportation
(MTO); and
<LI>the expert opinions required under the ESA to comment on the mitigation
strategies for each species. </LI></UL></LI></UL>
<P>As a result, the public is left to comment on an abbreviated and vague
summary of both, making it almost impossible to ascertain how the permit will be
drafted or enacted. Nor can we find out any information on concerns that may
have been raised by the experts.</P>
<UL>
<LI>Land securement should be strongly considered. This project is proposed to
occur in Carolinian Canada, both the most biologically diverse and the most
vulnerable region in Ontario. Not only will the habitat of eight species at
risk be directly affected, many other plants and animals will suffer the
indirect effects of habitat loss in this heavily developed region. The high
biodiversity values, heavy fragmentation and large scale of the project mean
the negative impacts will be felt beyond the immediate surroundings of the
project site.
<LI>MTO's budget for the proposed project is estimated at $1.6 billion. MTO
should be required to identify, purchase and designate a large tract or tracts
of land for conservation purposes in the Windsor area that will fully
compensate for the impacts to species at risk and their habitat as a result of
the proposed project. </LI></UL>
<P>All comments must be submitted by June 15, 2009.</P>
<P><STRONG>SAMPLE SUBMISSION</STRONG></P>
<P>Dear Mr. Jobes:</P>
<P>Re: EBR Registry No. 010-7651</P>
<P>I am writing to express my concern about major flaws in the first permit to
come out under section 17(2)d of Ontario's Endangered Species Act.</P>
<P>This type of permit is legally required to ensure that the proposed project
will not jeopardize the survival or recovery of species in Ontario. Given the
untested mitigation measures being put forward in an already compromised
landscape, it is my opinion that unless changes are made to the permit, both
Butler's gartersnake and colicroot will face increasing peril as a result of
this project.</P>
<P>Furthermore, it is critical that the permitting process be transparent and
open to the public. Key documents, such as the permit application itself and the
reports from consulted experts, are not available for review, making it
extremely difficult to make informed recommendations on specific aspects of this
permit.</P>
<P>Moreover, when projects occur in areas where habitat is highly fragmented, it
is imperative that land securement, for the purposes of conservation, be a
condition of the permit. </P>
<P>My specific comments on these regulations are as follows:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Do not use untested mitigation strategies for Butler's gartersnake and
colicroot.
<LI>Release the full permit application and reports from consulted experts for
public comment.
<LI>Set aside funds from the overall project budget for land securement by the
proponent for the purpose of conservation. </LI></UL>
<P>Yours truly, </P>
<P>Submit comments on-line here or send a hard copy to the address below: <BR><A
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href="http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=293169369&u=3246822"><SPAN
class=bodylink>www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA3NTMx&statusId=MTYxNDQ3&language=en</SPAN></A>
<BR><BR>Send hard copy to:</P>James Fitzpatrick<BR>Species at Risk Team
Advisor<BR>Ministry of Natural Resources<BR>Natural Resource Management
Division<BR>Fish and Wildlife Branch<BR>Species at Risk<BR>300 Water
Street<BR>Peterborough Ontario<BR>K9J 8M5 <BR>Phone: (705) 755-5409 <BR>Fax:
(705) 755-1788
<P>Founded in 1931, Ontario Nature works with over 140 member groups to protect
Ontario's habitats and wildlife, and connect people with nature, through
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