This consultation was open from:
February 13, 2020
to April 14, 2020
Decision summary
The following Prevention and Response Plans under the Invasive Species Act, 2015 have been finalized and are now in effect:
- Prevention and Response Plan for Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) in Ontario
- Prevention and Response Plan for European Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) in Ontario
Decision details
On September 15, 2020 the decision to finalize Prevention and Response Plans for European water chestnut and water soldier was made.
To support the effective management of invasive species across the province, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has developed Prevention and Response Plans for European water chestnut and water soldier, which are prohibited species under the Invasive Species Act, 2015. It is currently illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, breed/grow, buy, sell, lease or trade these species.
The Prevention and Response Plans enable people and organizations to undertake low risk activities to monitor, control, and in some cases eradicate, these invasive plants without the need for an authorization under the Invasive Species Act. The plans also include detailed best management practices for these invasive plants.
Effects of consultation
As a result of input received during consultation, minor modifications were made to the proposed versions including to:
- clarify that the primary purpose of the prevention and response plans is to enable certain entities and persons to undertake control and eradication actions without the need for an authorization under the Invasive Species Act, 2015
- clarify that additional approvals may be required from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, other provincial ministries and other levels of government to undertake the control of aquatic vegetation
- include a band, tribal council or an organization that represents a territorially based Aboriginal community as entities that are authorized to carry measures and practices authorized in the plans
- clarify the description of waterfront property and the area in which property owners can undertake the authorized actions
- clarify that removal can only occur using a human powered hand-held device or by hand pulling and that the use of mechanical harvesters, dredging or diver assisted harvesting would require an authorization under the Invasive Species Act, 2015
- provide additional direction on the transport and disposal of any plants removed
- add a condition requiring that all entities and persons that are considered "authorized persons" to notify the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry prior to initiating activities to prevent, monitor, control or remove European water chestnut or water soldier
- provide additional direction and clarity in the Best Management Practices sections of the plans.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
300 Water Street
5th floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Biodiversity Coordinator
300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
The Invasive Species Act, 2015 and first suite of regulations came into force on November 3, 2016. The Act gives Ontario tools to prevent, detect, and manage invasive species in the province.
European water chestnut and water soldier are established in several locations in southern Ontario and were regulated under the Act to prevent their further spread or introduction to new areas of Ontario and the Great Lakes.
As Prohibited Invasive Species, it is illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, breed/grow, buy, sell, lease or trade European water chestnut or water soldier in Ontario. We have prepared draft Prevention and Response Plans to allow management and eradication activities, which would otherwise be prohibited by regulation under the Invasive Species Act.
The proposed Prevention and Response Plans for European water chestnut and water soldier identifies persons or groups of persons who are authorized to implement the plan and undertake these beneficial actions. The plan sets out the types of activities for which the plan applies and describes the conditions under which these persons will be permitted to possess, transport, and deposit European water chestnut and water soldier in Ontario.
Individuals acting in accordance with the plan when carrying out activities to monitor, control or eradicate European water chestnut or water soldier in Ontario and to prevent their further spread, may proceed without the need for individual authorizations under the Act.
The Prevention and Response Plans for these species will help ensure individuals who are undertaking monitoring, control, and eradication activities do not further spread or introduce these species to new areas.
Public consultation opportunities
Additional opportunities may be considered upon request.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from February 13, 2020
to April 14, 2020
Connect with us
Contact
Biodiversity Coordinator
300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
9By email
8By mail
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