Development of government response statements in relation to final recovery strategies for six species at risk published on June 15, 2017 in accordance with the Endangered Species Act, 2007

Updates

This notice was first published on June 15, 2017 for a 32 day comment period at Stage 1.

This notice was republished on November 21, 2017 at Stage 2. Information about Stage 2 is located under the ‘Other information’ section of this notice.

This notice was republished on November 23, 2017 to reopen the comment period due to technical difficulties. Comments submitted prior to November 23, 2017 are not affected by the technical difficulties. The comment period for Stage 2 has been extended to January 8, 2017.

Description of policy

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is initiating the development of government response statements in relation to recovery strategies for the following six species:

• Blunt-lobed Woodsia (a plant)
• Colicroot (a plant)
• Eastern Small-footed Myotis (a bat)
• False Hop Sedge (a plant)
• Scarlet Ammannia (a plant)
• Lowland Toothcup (a plant)

Recovery strategies consistent with the requirements of Section 11 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 were finalized for these species on June 15, 2017 and are available on Ontario’s Species at Risk website (links are provided below under Other Relevant Information).

The finalization of these recovery strategies triggers the requirement to develop a government response statement in relation to each recovery strategy. Each government response statement will provide the government’s goal for the recovery of the species and a summary of the prioritized actions the Government of Ontario intends to take in response to the associated recovery strategy. The development of the government response statements will be completed in two stages.

During Stage 1, the public is invited to review the final recovery strategies and submit comments through the Environmental Registry, as well as through an online survey, about the goals and actions the Government of Ontario should consider in the development of government response statements. These comments and the recommendations contained within the recovery strategies will be considered in the development of the proposed government response statements.

During Stage 2, the proposed government response statements will be made available to the public on the Environmental Registry. The public will be invited to review and comment on the proposed government response statements. Comments will be considered in finalizing the government response statements. Please reference Environmental Registry number 013-0751 in your comments.

Purpose of policy

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that recovery strategies for six species at risk have been prepared and to seek comments for the development of the associated government response statements.

Other information

Stage 1

Comments may be provided through the Environmental Registry and/or through an online survey by July 17, 2017.

The following web-links provide additional information about this notice:

• Government response statement survey

Ontario recovery strategies:

• Blunt-lobed Woodsia
• Colicroot
• Eastern Small-footed Myotis
• False Hop Sedge
• Scarlet Ammannia
• Lowland Toothcup
• Ontario Species at Risk website
• The Endangered Species Act, 2007

Stage 2

Stage 1 of this process has now closed. The comments received from the Stage 1 posting and the recommendations contained within the recovery strategies were considered in the development of the proposed government response statements.

The public is invited to provide feedback and submit comments on the draft government response statements for Blunt-lobed Woodsia, Colicroot, Eastern Small-footed Myotis, False Hop Sedge, Lowland Toothcup and Scarlet Ammannia.

Comments must be submitted by January 8, 2018:

• By email at recovery.planning@ontario.ca
• By fax at 705-755-2901
• By mail at:

Recovery Planning
c/o Megan McAndrew
Senior Policy Advisor
Species Conservation Policy Branch
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street, 5N
Peterborough ON K9J 8M5

The following web-links provide additional information about this notice:

Draft government response statements for review:

• Blunt-lobed Woodsia
• Colicroot
• Eastern Small-footed Myotis
• False Hop Sedge
• Lowland Toothcup
• Scarlet Ammannia

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 32 day public review and comment period starting June 15, 2017. Comments were to be received by July 17, 2017.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

The following is a summary of public consultation opportunities:

Stage 1: Opportunity to comment on the actions the Government of Ontario should consider committing to in the development of the government response statements: June 15, 2017 to July 17, 2017.

Stage 2: Opportunity to comment on the proposed government response statements: November 21, 2017 to January 8, 2018.