<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">Hi folks</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">Currently Neil Taylor and I have been communicating with folks from Ecojustice regarding Hidden Valley. Here's what we have so far. </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">Right now, the Hidden Valley road plans are still in the works and have yet to be
finalized. We have maps showing the proposed road does run over top confirmed Jefferson finds, where Jefferson Salamanders were physically spotted in two years worth of testing. We also have information to show that the people gathering this data did not study all the potential breeding ponds in this area. </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">The location where the road crosses the salamanders is actually within 300 meters of a breeding pond which technically should mean the area is included within the MNR's own criteria for critical habitat. </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent;
font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Once the city/region identifies their preferred option, the matter goes for approval in council. If approved, we can then ask for a Part II order request from the Minister of Natural Resources. Should we have the need to seek a Part II, we intend to support our own data with a copy of an online petition that we posted at Care 2. The petition allows people to give personal comment to show support for the need to protect these creatures and Hidden Valley. Right now we are nearing 400 signatures. If you have not signed or given comment, I highly encourage you to do so. The petition is directed towards Ontario residents but we do have some international support as well. The more signatures we can get, regardless of location of signer, the better so please sign and spread the word! </font></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/178/674/364/urge-minister-gravelle-to-save-endangered-species-jefferson-salamander-from-4-lane-highway/">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/178/674/364/urge-minister-gravelle-to-save-endangered-species-jefferson-salamander-from-4-lane-highway/</a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">If you can post this link on facebook and twitter, all the better! <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0,
0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">Now should the MNR approve of this roadway, in spite of data, inspite of the petition, that's when Ecojustice can get involved with this. I've been relaying concern on this project to their staff for years. </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">In the mean time, if anyone has connections to experts in the area willing to speak up on the matter in council, let me know. We've got a couple of names to work with
currently but the more expert info we can secure prior to the decision the better.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">Thanks! </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; ">Lulu :0)</div></div></body></html>