Development of government response statements in relation to final recovery strategies for three species at risk published on December 13, 2017 in accordance with the Endangered Species Act, 2007

Updates

This notice was first published on December 13, 2017 for a 30 day comment period at Stage 1.

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 three species:

• Blue Ash
• Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
• Kentucky Coffee-tree

Recovery strategies consistent with the requirements of Section 11 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 were finalized for these species on December 13, 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 013-1865 in your comments.

Purpose of policy

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that recovery strategies for three 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 January 12, 2018.

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

• Government response statement survey

Ontario recovery strategies:

• Blue Ash
• Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
• Kentucky Coffee-tree
• Ontario Species at Risk website
• The Endangered Species Act, 2007

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 30 day public review and comment period starting December 13, 2017. Comments were to be received by January 12, 2018.

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: December 13, 2017 to January 12, 2018.

Stage 2: Opportunity to comment on the proposed government response statements: Spring/Summer 2018.