I support strong effective…

I support strong effective protection for listed species and their habitats.

1. Landscape Approaches

By protecting Natural Heritage Systems (NHS) and by giving priority to Species at Risk (SAR) within NHS we ensure the long term survival of SAR.

Mapping of NHS is ongoing and understood by planners, conservationists, and large developers. I am not in favour of introducing a new undefined term like “landscape approach”, feeling it is unnecessary and obfuscating.

Wider public knowledge of NHS and the areas concerned should be a Ministry priority. This would give landowners a “heads up” on the possibility of SAR and development conflicts.

Poster sized maps of regional NHS should be distributed to Municipal offices and Schools. The map’s date should be prominent.

I am concerned that protection and mapping of NHS in eco regions of the Canadian Shield is not mentioned in the Provincial Policy Statement.

2. Listing process

I believe COSSARO works well. Once a species makes the List, there are years before it reaches threatened or endangered status. Plenty of time for developers to anticipate future conflict.

My experience in Kawartha Lakes is that only threatened or endangered species trigger protection protocols by Planners or the MNRF.

3 or 4

I am not in favour of “permits” within Natural Heritage Systems.

Thank you