City of Guelph Asks For Permission To Actively Harm The Jefferson Salamander. Whatever Next?
Jan Andrea Hall, Royal City Rag
Its interesting to note that on the same day that the The City of Guelph consultant, and noted expert on the Jefferson Salamander, Dr. Jim Bogart, Emeritus Professor at the University of Guelph is quoted in the Guelph Mercury suggesting that he doesn’t expect to find the Jefferson Salamander in the Hanlon Creek Wetland Complex this Spring, activists should uncover information that the city and their development partner Belmont Equity Partners, have applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources for permission to harm Jefferson Salamanders and damage their habitat… even if they confirm that the endangered species is present at the environmentally sensitve site.
The following is taken from the Environmental Bill of Rights website:
“The City of Guelph, Belmont Equity (HCBP) Holdings Ltd. and Guelph Land Holdings (the applicants) are applying for an agreement to mitigate impacts Jefferson Salamanders and their habitat for the purpose of developing the Hanlon Creek Business Park (HCBP), a new subdivision in the City of Guelph.
The Jefferson Salamander is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List, in Ontario Regulation 230/08 under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), as a threatened species. Clause 9(1)(a) of the ESA provides that no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture or take a living member of a species that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an extirpated, endangered or threatened species. Clause 10(1)(a) of the ESA provides that no person shall damage or destroy the habitat of a species that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an endangered or threatened species. Protection for Jefferson Salamander habitat came into force in February 2010.
The subject lands are currently being surveyed for the presence of Jefferson Salamander. The survey began in March and will continue until the end of April. If Jefferson Salamanders are found, the City of Guelph, Belmont Equity (HCBP) Holdings Ltd. and Guelph Land Holdings are requesting an authorization through an agreement to harm Jefferson Salamanders and to damage potential habitat.”
The full details on the application can be found here.
Public comments on this application can be made now by sending an e-mail to esa.permits.agreements@ontario.ca.
The deadline for comments is May 10 2010.
It is important to include the EBR Registry Number 010-9560.
Those more comfortable using mail or telephone can use the following:
James Fitzpatrick
Species at Risk Team Advisor
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division Species at Risk Branch
300 Water Street
Floor 4 Robinson Place South Tower
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
705-755-5409
705-755-1788
As much as I respect the credentials of Dr. Bogart, his role is limited to examining salamanders sent in by consulting firms scouring the site for evidence of the illusive amphibian.
As its not unusual for consultants to come up with findings desirable to whoever commissioned the work I’m not holding my breath on Dr. Bogart’s current opinion being contradicted.
View the proposed Hanlon Creek Salamander Monitoring Program for 2010
The City of Guelph asking for permission to actively harm a creature’s habitat. Whatever next?
Please remember that this is “the greenest Mayor and Council” we’ve ever had.
One wonders what they’d be doing if they weren’t green?
Jan Andrea Hall
janhall@royalcityrag.ca
For more on this and other community issues, tune into Royal City Rag, Saturdays 7-9 a.m. on CFRU 93.3fm. Speaking Truth To Power.
Environmental group rep objects to Burnhamthorpe, James Snow expressway off hwy 401 …
http://www.topix.net/forum/ca/halton
Full story: Oakville Today Halton Region Hornby GTA Ontario
http://www.topix.net/forum/ca/burlington-on
“These areas will be the last refuge for our Halton’s indigenous wildlife species before the great bulldozers of urban sprawl destroy the surrounding areas.” – ” Glenorchy member Diane Burton.
http://www.topix.net/forum/ca/milton-on/T6K5G1P7KSND04R6N
The Guelph Mercury had a really pathetic editorial on this issue in the paper today.
http://news.guelphmercury.com/Opinions/Editorials/article/622532
Not sure whether they had someone at the City dictate the copy to them or are just feeling the pressure to get in line with the goals of our greenwashing administration!
Would it have been too much effort to get a perspective on the issue that doesn’t come from the City?
Glad to get that of my chest!
Jan