2434233 Ontario Ltd. - Amendment to a permit issued under the Endangered Species Act

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Type d'acte: Amendment to a permit issued under the Endangered Species Act

Numéro du REO
019-8427
Numéro de référence du ministère
AY-C-005-18
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 8 avril 2024 au 8 mai 2024 (30 jours) Fermé
Dernière mise à jour

Cette consultation a eu lieu :

du 8 avril 2024
au 8 mai 2024

Résumé de la décision

The Minister has issued an amendment to an overall benefit permit under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 to 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to authorize impacts to Willowleaf Aster individuals and to update mitigation and overall benefit requirements concerning Willowleaf Aster, Butler’s Gartersnake and Eastern Foxsnake.

Détails de l'emplacement

Détails de l'emplacement du site

Part Lot 63, Concession 2 in the Geographic Township of Petite Cote, 2134 to 2198 Daytona Avenue in the City of Windsor.

Carte de l'emplacement du site

L'épingle de localisation correspond à la zone approximative où a lieu l’activité environnementale.

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Promoteur(s)

2434233 Ontario Ltd.
4748 Landor Court
Windsor, ON
N9G 3C5
Canada

Détails de la décision

On May 30, 2025, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued an overall benefit permit amendment to 2434233 Ontario Ltd. with respect to Willowleaf Aster, Butler’s Gartersnake, and Eastern Foxnsake.

The original permit was issued under clause 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) and authorizes 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • harm, harass, capture, possess, and transport Butler’s Gartersnake individuals
  • harm, harass, capture, possess, and transport Eastern Foxsnake individuals
  • destroy up to 0.71 hectares of habitat for Butler’s Gartersnake, Eastern Foxsnake, and Willowleaf Aster.

The amendment additionally authorizes 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • harm, possess, and transport Willowleaf Aster individuals

This project is for the construction of a multi-unit residential development at 2134 to 2198 Daytona Avenue in Windsor, Ontario.

Protecting species under the Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) sets out the requirements for protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitat in Ontario.

The ESA provides the authority for the Minister to amend a permit issued under clause 17(2)(c) of the Act with the consent of the permit holder, if the Minister believes that the permit could be issued under the same clause in its amended form.

As further described below, the amended permit will continue to include conditions that require 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to undertake measures that will:

  • minimize adverse effects to Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population), Butler’s Gartersnake, and Willowleaf Aster, and
  • achieve an overall benefit to Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population), Butler’s Gartersnake, and Willowleaf Aster within a reasonable time.

Actions to minimize adverse effects to species

The permit requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • capture Butler’s Gartersnake and Eastern Foxsnake at the site before vegetation removal commences and relocate them to a safe location outside of the development area
  • install exclusion fencing to prevent Eastern Foxsnake and Butler’s Gartersnake from entering the development area
  • provide homeowner education packages to educate homeowners on the presence of the species and what to do if they observe one
  • provide training to all site workers about the species and what to do if one is encountered
  • monitor mitigation measures to ensure their effectiveness.

Additionally, the amendment requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • transplant Willowleaf Aster individuals from the development area to a habitat enhancement area, and
  • continue monitoring and maintain the relocated Willowleaf Aster individuals for five years.

Actions to achieve an overall benefit to species

The permit requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • protect 1.31 hectares of existing habitat (i.e., the Alexandra Avenue overall benefit site) from future development
  • rehabilitate and enhance 0.72 hectares within the 1.31 hectare parcel by:
    1. managing invasive species
    2. providing more open habitat in which Willowleaf Aster can thrive
    3. providing microhabitat features that support key life processes such as thermoregulation, reproduction and foraging for Eastern Foxsnake and Butler’s Gartersnake, and
  • distribute education materials to homeowners in the proposed development area regarding the protection and recovery of these species.

Additionally, the amendment requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

Reasonable alternatives considered

2434233 Ontario Ltd. has explored alternatives, including alternatives that would not adversely affect the affected species and their habitats. These include:

  • not developing the residential development
  • seeking an alternate location for the development

The best alternative is development of the originally proposed site.

Other information

The province has published a government response statement (GRS) under subsection 12.1 of the ESA with respect to Willowleaf Aster. Consideration was given to the GRS and permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • improving habitat and reducing threats
  • increasing awareness and stewardship

The province has published a government response statement under subsection 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Eastern Foxsnake. Consideration was given to the GRS and permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • identifying and protecting existing habitat
  • enhancing and restoring habitat
  • promoting stewardship

The province has published a government response statement under subsection 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Butler’s Gartersnake. Consideration was given to the GRS and permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • identifying and protecting existing habitat
  • enhancing and restoring habitat
  • promoting stewardship
  • contributing to research and monitoring efforts to increase knowledge of the species

Commentaires reçus

Par l'entremise du registre

1

Par courriel

0

Par la poste

0
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Effets de la consultation

We received one comment on the proposal for an amendment to the permit for clarification on what is being amended. In an effort to clarify what has been amended in the permit, each section under Decision details identifies the requirements of the original permit and the new requirements for the amendment.

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.

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Species at Risk Branch
Address

40 St Clair Ave West
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada

How to Appeal

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Communiquer avec nous

Contact

Katy Hynes

Phone number
Email address
Office
Species at Risk Branch - Permissions and Compliance
Address

50 Bloomington Rd
Aurora, ON
L4G 0L8
Canada

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Proposition initiale

Numéro du REO
019-8427
Numéro de référence du ministère
AY-C-005-18
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

8 avril 2024 - 8 mai 2024 (30 days)

Détails de la proposition

2434233 Ontario Ltd. has submitted an application for an amendment to an overall benefit permit under clause 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 for impacts to Willowleaf Aster, Butler’s Gartersnake, and Eastern Foxsnake to construct a residential development.

The proposal may adversely impact:

  • Willowleaf Aster individuals
  • Approximately 0.71 hectares of Willowleaf Aster habitat
  • Butler’s Gartersnake individuals
  • Approximately 0.71 hectares of Butler’s Gartersnake habitat
  • Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population) individuals
  • Approximately 0.71 hectares of Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population) habitat

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 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

Willowleaf Aster is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as threatened; therefore, it is protected. Habitat protection under subsection 10(1) of the ESA applies to Willowleaf Aster.

Butler’s Gartersnake is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as endangered; therefore, it is protected. Habitat protection under subsection 10(1) of the ESA applies to Butler’s Gartersnake.

Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population) is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as endangered; therefore, it is protected. Habitat protection under subsection 10(1) of the ESA applies to Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population).

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 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 achieve an overall benefit to species

The permit requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to achieve an overall benefit for the species within a reasonable timeframe, including:

  • protecting 1.31 hectares of existing habitat (i.e. the Alexandra Avenue overall benefit site) from future development
  • rehabilitating and enhancing 0.72 hectares within the 1.31 hectare parcel by:
    • managing invasive species.
    • providing more open habitat in which Willowleaf Aster can thrive.
    • providing microhabitat features that support key life processes such as thermoregulation, reproduction and foraging for Eastern Foxsnake and Butler’s Gartersnake.
  • distributing education materials to homeowners in the proposed development area regarding the protection and recovery of these species.

Proposed additional approaches to achieve an overall benefit for the species may include:

  • development and distribution of additional public awareness and education materials to nearby residential homeowners and businesses, and installation of a wildlife educational sign on the development site.
  • planting and tending to additional Willowleaf Aster seedlings or cuttings in the habitat enhancement area.
  • funding or undertaking a Ministry approved research project related to Butler’s Gartersnake.

Reasonable alternatives being considered

2434233 Ontario Ltd. has explored alternatives, including alternatives that would not adversely affect Willowleaf Aster and their habitat. These include:

  • not developing the residential development
  • seeking an alternate location for the development

2434233 Ontario Ltd. has concluded that the best alternative is development of the originally proposed site.

Actions to minimize adverse effects on the species

The permit requires 2434233 Ontario Ltd. to:

  • capture Butler’s Gartersnake and Eastern Foxsnake at the site before vegetation removal commences and relocate them to the habitat enhancement area or a safe location outside of the development site.
  • install exclusion fencing to prevent Eastern Foxsnake and Butler’s Gartersnake from entering the development area.
  • provide homeowner education packages to educate homeowners of the developed residential units on the presence of the species and what to do if they observe one.
  • provide training to all site workers about the species and what to do if one is encountered.
  • monitor mitigation measures to ensure their effectiveness.

Proposed additional approaches to minimize adverse effects on the species may include:

  • undertaking a targeted salvage for Willowleaf Aster individuals on the Site and relocating them to a habitat enhancement area.
  • continued monitoring and maintenance of the relocated Willowleaf Aster for five years.
  • updating the relocation area for captured Butler’s Gartersnake and Eastern Foxsnake to a new relocation area outside of the development site where appropriate environmental conditions exist.

Other information

The Province has published a government response statement under subsection 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Willowleaf Aster. Consideration was given to the GRS and permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • improving habitat and reducing threats
  • increasing awareness and stewardship.

The Province has published a government response statement under subsection 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Eastern Foxsnake. Permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • identifying and protecting existing habitat
  • enhancing and restoring habitat
  • promoting stewardship.

The Province has published a government response statement under subsection 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Butler’s Gartersnake. Permit conditions align with the objectives outlined in the GRS, including:

  • identifying and protecting existing habitat
  • enhancing and restoring habitat
  • promoting stewardship.

Posting this proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario does not imply that the Minister will issue an amendment to the permit. An amendment may only be issued where the legal requirements set out in sub-clause 17(7)(a)(i) and clause 17(2)(c) of the Act have been satisfied.

Documents justificatifs

Commentaire

La consultation est maintenant terminée.

Cette consultation a eu lieu 8 avril 2024
au 8 mai 2024

Communiquer avec nous

Contact

Katy Hynes

Phone number
Email address
Office
Species at Risk Branch - Permissions and Compliance
Address

50 Bloomington Rd
Aurora, ON
L4G 0L8
Canada