<html><head></head><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072">Hi folks</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">I received the MOECC's decision regarding my Part II order request for Hidden Valley arrived to my mailbox on June 20th. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_5104"></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Although we didn't get a bump up in the EA process we did manage to secure some new conditions to better protect water quality. The Source Water Act was approved after the River Road Extension was approved, but thanks to this decision we can now apply the Sourcewater Act protective measures to this project in regards to the issue of road salt.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">The new conditions are as follows:</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">1. During detailed design, the Region shall examine further enhancements to the Project's road design that would reduce potential road salt impacts on groundwater, surface water, and natural heritage features in the Project area.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">2. In accordance with changes to Policy RW-CW-35 of the recently approved Grand River Source Water Protection Plan, the Region shall create a Risk Management Plan for the Project's road salt application prior to it's opening. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">The MOECC admitted the Region identified the presence of 4 species at risk and suitable habitat for 4 more including the following:</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Butternut Tree (endangered)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Jefferson Salamander (endangered)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Barn Swallow (threatened)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Chimney Swift (threatened)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Least BIttern (threatened)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Little Brown Myotis aka Little Brown Bat (endangered</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Northern Myotis (endangered)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (endangered)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Measures to address them may include targeted Inventories in suitable habitat, and will consider additional mitigation measures to avoid impacts to species at risk. Authorizations under the Endangered Species Act will be required if impacts to these species cannot be avoided. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">They also admitted to 9 additional species observed or recognized to potentially occur in the Project area that are Species of Special Concern. They include:</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Bald Eagle</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Canada Warbler</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Common Nighthawk</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Eastern Wood Pewee</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Eastern Milksnake</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Monarch Butterfly</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Snapping Turtle</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">and West Virginia White</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">The Minister states these species may have requirements under other legislation, such as the federal Species At Risk Act, or the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and states the Region will consult with the relevant agencies during the detailed design to ensure any other legislative requirements for these species are followed. Mitigation measures for these species will also be considered during the detailed design. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">The Minister states: "I am imposing conditions on the Project to ensure the Region considers additional mitigation measures and policy guidance for road salt during the detailed design and operational phase, that the Region creates a Risk Management Plan for the Project's road salt application in accordance with the approved Grand River Source Protection Plan. There will also be 5 years of monitoring afterwards to help assure compliance. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Although the issue of rising costs was deemed out of scope, the Minister did state the following: The Region has indicated it will fund the Project through private development charges. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">The full decision is in the attachments for your reference.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr">Lulu :0)</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466489537601_4072" dir="ltr"><br></div></div></body></html>