Town of Halton Hills - Permit for activities to achieve an overall benefit to a species

Proponent

Town of Halton Hills
1 Halton Hills Drive
Halton Hills, Ontario
L7G 5G2
Canada

Location details

Site location details

North West section of the Hungry Hollow Trail System between West Branch Drive and Guelph Ste. Halton Hills Ontario.

To see the site location on a map, refer to the instrument proposal under ERO# 019-1812

Instrument decision

On May 28, 2021, the Minister issued an overall benefit permit to the Town of Halton Hills under section 17(1) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), concerning Redside Dace so it can construct a trail system through the Hungry Hollow Ravine (the project) in Halton Hills, Ontario.

The permit will authorize the Town of Halton Hills to impact Redside Dace habitat during the construction of the trail. This includes damaging and destroying up to 2423.8 m² of habitat.

The permit requires Town of Halton Hills to undertake measures that will:

• minimize adverse effects to Redside Dace
• achieve overall benefit Redside Dace within a reasonable time

Actions to minimize adverse effects to species

For Redside Dace, the permit requires the Town of Halton Hills to:

• complete construction work within wetlands between July 1st to September 15th
• limit vegetation clearing to width of the trail, cut materials will be cut and left on site or chipped as appropriate
• minimize/control amount of exposed soils throughout construction to limit sedimentation; sediment fencing will be used for activities within Redside Dace habitat
• limit equipment and storage materials within the trail footprint, or as designated
• use only native plants to rehabilitate exposed areas

Actions to achieve an overall benefit to species

The permit requires the Town of Halton Hills to achieve an overall benefit for the Redside Dace within a reasonable time by creating and restoring minimum 4,686 m² of riparian habitat along Silver Creek.

The proposed beneficial activities are expected to achieve an overall benefit for Redside Dace by enhancing and restoring degraded habitat within the existing riparian area of the creek that was previously degraded.

Other information

The Town of Halton Hills considered other reasonable alternatives, including:

• not constructing a trail
• constructing a trail with three bridges, 1953m² of limestone screening trail and 1247m² of boardwalk
• constructing a trail with one bridge, 844m² limestone screening trail and 1539m² of board walk
• creating connecting trails within the existing trail network, resulting in 184m² of limestone screening trail, 333m² of boardwalk

The best alternative that was adopted was constructing a trail with one bridge, 844m² limestone screening trail and 1539m² of board walk. This will avoid larger impacts to habitat while fulfilling the main purpose of the activity.

The ministry has published a government response statement under section 12.1 of the ESA with respect to Redside Dace. You can access this statement through the ministry’s website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/redside-dace-government-response-statement

The minister considered the following in reaching a decision regarding the permit:

• ensuring appropriate timing windows for works in Redside Dace habitat
• supporting partners to undertake activities to protect and recover Redside Dace including support provided through permits (including conditions)
• rehabilitating degraded Redside Dace habitat

Effects of consultation

One comment was received stating the goal of the ESA is the protection and recovery of species at risk, not the minimization of harm to these species.

No changes were made to the proposal as Redside Dace is unlikely to be harmed by issuing the permit. Redside Dace habitat will be improved through the conditions proposed in the permit.

Appeal information

Appeals are not allowed. This instrument type cannot be appealed.