Private Landowner - Permit for activities to achieve an overall benefit to a species and/or to pay a species conservation charge (ESA s.17(2) (c))

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Type d'acte: Permit for activities to achieve an overall benefit to a species and/or to pay a species conservation charge (ESA s.17(2) (c))

Numéro du REO
019-6772
Numéro de référence du ministère
SW-C-003-23
Type d'avis
Instrument
Loi
Endangered Species Act , R.S.O. 2007
Affiché par
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Étape de l'avis
Décision
Décision publiée
Période de consultation
Du 26 mai 2023 au 25 juin 2023 (30 jours) Fermé
Dernière mise à jour

Cette consultation a eu lieu :

du 26 mai 2023
au 25 juin 2023

Résumé de la décision

The Minister has issued an overall benefit permit for a single residential home development that may adversely impact Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, which are species at risk. The permit includes actions to minimize adverse effects and overall benefit actions for the species.

Détails de l'emplacement

Adresse du site

Grand Bend, ON
N0M 1T0
Canada

Détails de l'emplacement du site

Part 3 Lot 35 East of Lake Road, Bosanquet Township

Northville, Municipality of Lambton Shores, Lambton County, Canada.

This building site is located between a small apartment structure to the south and private single dwellings, private residential properties, fronting on Northville Crescent. Forested lot for private landowner development.

Promoteur(s)

Private Landowner
Erin Place
Grand Bend, ON
N0M 1T0
Canada

Détails de la décision

the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued an overall benefit permit to a private landowner (the proponent) under subsection 17(1) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), in accordance with the criteria in clause 17(2)(c) of that Act on November 10, 2023.

The permit is concerning:

The permit authorizes the proponent to:

  • damage or destroy up to 0.102 hectares of Dwarf Hackberry habitat
  • damage or destroy up to 0.17 hectares of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat
  • kill or harm up to three Dwarf Hackberry trees
  • harm, or harass Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Protecting species under the Endangered Species Act

The Ontario government is committed to protecting species at risk and providing strong environmental oversight, while working to support municipal infrastructure and public safety in the province.

Ontario provides protections for species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Sections 9 and 10 of the ESA provide protection for individual members of a species and their habitat if that species is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as either:

  • extirpated
  • endangered
  • threatened

Both Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake are listed on the SARO List, under Ontario Regulation 230/08 of the ESA, as threatened.

Issuing a permit under the ESA

Under clause 17(2)(c) of the ESA, the Minister may issue a permit authorizing a person to engage in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by sections 9 or 10 of the ESA if the Minister believes that:

  • an overall benefit to the species will be achieved within a reasonable time through the conditions of the permit
  • reasonable alternatives have been considered, including alternatives that would not negatively affect the species, and the best alternative has been adopted
  • reasonable steps to minimize negative effects on individual members of the species are required by conditions of the permit

Providing an overall benefit to a protected species under the ESA means improving circumstances for the species in Ontario. Overall benefit is:

  • more than "no net loss" or an exchange of "like for like"
  • grounded in the protection and recovery of the species at risk
  • more than mitigation measures or "replacing" what is lost

Actions to minimize adverse effects to species

The permit requires the proponent to carry out actions to minimize adverse effects on the species, including:

  • conducting contractor species at risk awareness training to contractors and landowner
  • conducting site clearing outside the active period for Eastern Hog-nosed snake (April 1 to October 31) to minimize the likelihood of encountering snakes during construction
  • protecting Dwarf Hackberry trees along the laneway with visual markings
  • installing temporary wildlife exclusion fencing to reduce the possibility of incidental encounters with Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, and prevent accidental damage to residual Dwarf Hackberry
  • following a clean equipment protocol to reduce the impact of invasive weeds on the property
  • stopping works if any incidental encounters occur with Eastern Hog-nosed snake until the animal has left or until relocated by qualified professional
  • transplanting Dwarf Hackberry trees overlapping the project footprint (three individuals) to the environmentally protected zone within the subject lands
  • undertaking targeted salvage and relocation if Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are encountered within the project site

Actions to achieve an overall benefit to the species

The permit requires the proponent to take actions to achieve an overall benefit for the species within a reasonable timeframe, including:

  • enhancing 0.825 hectares of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake and Dwarf Hackberry habitat by establishing an environmentally protected area on the property
  • planting a minimum of 15 Dwarf Hackberry trees (a replacement ratio of 5:1)
  • installing 5 thermoregulation brush piles in an environmentally protected area on the property
  • increasing the deadwood in the environmentally protected area by installing tree boles from any stems removed on the property to improve suitability for overwintering of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

The overall benefit actions are expected to achieve an overall benefit for Dwarf Hackberry by:

  • increasing the overall number of Dwarf Hackberry on the landscape
  • enhancing Dwarf Hackberry habitat

The overall benefit actions are expected to achieve an overall benefit for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake by enhancing the quality of habitat for the species by creating key habitat structures used by the species for shelter, hibernacula, and gestation.

Other information

Reasonable alternatives were considered, including alternatives that would not adversely affect Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake and their habitat. These alternatives include:

  • Alternative 1: not proceeding with the project
  • Alternative 2: proceeding with a development layout that is 25 meters from the road’s edge, which would minimize impacts to Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat (i.e., 0.11 hectares) but impact a greater number of Dwarf Hackberry individuals (i.e., would require transplanting 14 individuals)
  • Alternative 3: proceeding with a development layout that is 30 meters from the road’s edge, which would impact fewer Dwarf Hackberry individuals as compared to developing closer to the road (i.e., would require transplanting 8 individuals) but would impact 0.17 hectares Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat
  • Alternative 4: proceeding with a development layout that is 35 meters from the road’s edge, which will impact the least amount of Dwarf Hackberry individuals as compared to developing closer to the road (i.e., would require transplanting 3 individuals), but will also impact 0.17 hectares of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat

The proponent has indicated that Alternative 1 is not economically viable and does not meet the intent of the project.

The best alternative, which has been adopted, is Alternative 4. Although Alternative 4 impacts a greater amount of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat than Alternative 2, Alternative 4 provides the best compromise between meeting the intent of the project and minimizing impacts to the species.

The ministry has published government response statements (GRS) under section 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to:

The permit reflects the following commitments in the GRS for these species:

  • continuing to protect Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Dwarf Hackberry, and their habitat through the ESA
  • supporting conservation, agency, municipal and industry partners, and Indigenous communities and organizations to undertake activities to protect and Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
  • coordinating and implementing standard inventory and monitoring of Dwarf Hackberry, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, and their habitat in historic, current, and potentially inhabited location

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Permissions Section
Address

40 St. Clair Ave. West
14th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada

Office phone number

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Proposition initiale

Numéro du REO
019-6772
Numéro de référence du ministère
SW-C-003-23
Type d'avis
Instrument
Loi
Endangered Species Act , R.S.O. 2007
Affiché par
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Proposition affichée

Période de consultation

26 mai 2023 - 25 juin 2023 (30 days)

Détails de la proposition

We are proposing to issue an overall benefit permit to a private landowner (the proponent) under clause 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) so they can construct a single residential home in Lambton Shores, Ontario.

The proposed activities may adversely impact:

The proposed activities will involve:

  • removing and transplanting three Dwarf Hackberry individuals
  • adversely impacting 0.102 hectares of Dwarf Hackberry habitat
  • adversely impacting 0.17 hectares of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat

The main threats to Dwarf Hackberry are:

  • aggregate extraction
  • development
  • logging
  • altered disturbance regimes (e.g., fire frequency, coastal processes, wind, disease) that normally limit habitat succession by plants that will shade out this sun-loving species

The most significant threats to the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake are:

  • habitat loss and fragmentation
  • persecution by people

Protecting species under the Endangered Species Act

The Ontario government is committed to protecting species at risk and providing strong environmental oversight, while working to support development opportunities in the province.

Ontario protects species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Sections 9 and 10 of the Act provide protection for individual members of a species and their habitat if that species is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) list as either:

  • extirpated
  • endangered
  • threatened

Both Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake are listed on the SARO list, under O. Reg. 230/08 of the ESA, as threatened.

Issuing a permit under the Endangered Species Act

Under clause 17(2)(c) of the ESA, the Minister may issue a permit authorizing a person to engage in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by sections 9 or 10 of the Act if the minister believes that:

  • either:
  • an overall benefit to the species will be achieved within a reasonable time through the conditions of the permit, or
  • with respect to a species designated as a conservation fund species, the person who would be authorized by the permit to engage in the activity has agreed to pay to the Species at Risk Conservation Trust any Species Conservation Chargers that are required by the permit
  • reasonable alternatives have been considered, including alternatives that would not negatively affect the species, and the best alternative has been adopted
  • reasonable steps to minimize negative effects on individual members of the species are required by conditions of the permit

The Minister is considering issuing a permit under the overall benefit option under clause 17(2)(c)(i)(A) (i.e., an overall benefit to the species will be achieved within a reasonable time through the conditions of the permit).

Providing an overall benefit to a protected species under the ESA means improving circumstances for the species in Ontario. Overall benefit is:

  • more than "no net loss" or an exchange of "like for like"
  • grounded in the protection and recovery of the species at risk
  • more than mitigation measures or "replacing" what is lost

Actions to achieve an overall benefit to species

The proponent is working to identify proposed actions that would achieve an overall benefit for Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. These may involve:

  • planting 15 additional Dwarf Hackberry within the subject lands outside of the development area and along the edge to ensure adequate light
  • monitoring and tending to the existing Dwarf Hackberry and newly planted individuals for five years
  • enhancing 0.42 hectares of Dwarf Hackberry and 0.43 hectares Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat by carrying out a Silviculture plan (e.g., hazard tree management, canopy gaps for natural regeneration of mid-successional species, invasive species management, etc.)
  • installing five brush piles to provide thermoregulation habitat for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake to help maintain its internal body temperature
  • increasing the deadwood available in enhanced habitat to improve suitability for Eastern Hognose Snake to hibernate through winter

The proposed overall benefit actions are expected to achieve an overall benefit for Dwarf Hackberry by:

  • increasing the overall number of Dwarf Hackberry on the landscape
  • enhancing Dwarf Hackberry habitat
  • increasing awareness of the species

The proposed overall benefit actions are expected to achieve an overall benefit for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake by:

  • enhancing the quality of habitat for the species
  • providing additional opportunities for key biological processes (thermoregulation) by creating of key habitat features
  • increasing awareness of the species to reduce persecution and promote protection and recovery of the species

Reasonable alternatives being considered

The proponent has explored alternatives, including alternatives that would not adversely affect Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. These include:

  • not proceeding with the proposed development
  • proceeding with a development layout (e.g., 25 metres from road edge) with the least amount of impact to Eastern Hog-nosed Snake but that impacts a greater number of Dwarf Hackberry individuals occurring in a high density, naturally regenerated Dwarf Hackberry stand
  • proceeding with a development layout (e.g., 30 metres from road edge) that impacts less Dwarf Hackberry individuals as compared to developing closer to the road while also impacting Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat
  • proceeding with a development layout (e.g., 35 metres from the road) with the least amount of impact to Dwarf Hackberry while also impacting Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat

The proponent has concluded that the preferred option for carrying out the proposed project is to proceed with the development layout (e.g. 35 metres from the road) that minimizes the amount of adverse impacts to Dwarf Hackberry, while also impacting Eastern Hog-nosed Snake habitat, as it requires the least amount of transplanting and mitigation planting.

This option meets the main purpose of the activity, which is to build and service a home. It reduces the impact on naturally occurring Dwarf Hackberry and controls the establishment, health, composition and growth of the habitat needs for this species.

Not developing the property is considered not economically feasible and regeneration to Dwarf Hackberry is expected to be stunted if there is no silvicultural intervention (e.g. creation of habitat by making gaps in the canopy through tree removal). Developing 25 or 30 metres from the road is not ideal because it affects more Dwarf Hackberry individuals and habitat than the preferred option.

Actions to minimize adverse effects on the species

The proponent is seeking ways to minimize adverse effects on Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. These may include:

  • conducting contractor species at risk awareness training
  • conducting site clearing outside the active period for Eastern Hog-nosed snake (e.g. during winter months) to minimize the likelihood of encountering snakes during construction
  • protecting Dwarf Hackberry trees along the laneway with a Tree Protection Zone
  • installing temporary wildlife exclusion fencing to reduce the possibility of incidental encounters with Eastern Hognose Snake and prevent accidental damage to residual Dwarf Hackberry
  • following a clean equipment protocol to reduce the impact of invasive weeds on the property
  • stopping works if any incidental encounters occur with at risk reptiles until the animal has left, or until relocated by qualified professional
  • transplanting Dwarf Hackberry trees overlapping the proposed project footprint (three individuals) to environmentally protected area within the subject lands
  • monitoring mitigation measures to ensure they are effective

Other information

The Province has published a government response statement under section 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Dwarf Hackberry and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.

A copy of the government response statement for Dwarf Hackberry is available at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/common-hoptree-and-dwarf-hackberry-government-response-statement.

A copy of the government response statement for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is available at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/eastern-hog-nosed-snake-government-response-statement.

These response statements will be considered in:

  • determining whether or not to approve the permit
  • developing any future permit conditions

Posting this proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario does not imply that the Minister will issue a permit. A permit may only be issued where the legal requirements set out in clause 17(2)(c) of the ESA have been satisfied.

Documents justificatifs

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Certains documents justificatifs peuvent ne pas être accessibles en ligne. Si tel est le cas, vous pouvez demander à consulter les documents en personne.

Veuillez communiquer avec le bureau mentionné ci-dessous pour savoir si les documents sont accessibles.

Permissions Section
Address

40 St. Clair Ave. West
14th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada

Office phone number

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Cette consultation a eu lieu 26 mai 2023
au 25 juin 2023

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