Ontario's Environmental Registry contains public notices about environmental matters being proposed by all government ministries covered by the Environmental Bill of Rights, and allows you to participate in decisions that affect the environment.
The government of Ontario made a commitment to regulate the habitat for the following ten species at risk by June 30, 2009: American Badger, Barn Owl, Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid, Engelmann's Quillwort, Few-flowered Club-rush, Jefferson Salamander, Peregrine Falcon, Western Silvery Aster, Wood Turtle, and Woodland Caribou (forest-dwelling boreal population).
A regulation proposal notice (ER #010-6490) has been posted on the Environmental Registry to prescribe the habitat for the following nine species: American Badger, Barn Owl, Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid, Engelmann's Quillwort, Few-flowered Club-rush, Jefferson Salamander, Peregrine Falcon, Western Silvery Aster and Wood Turtle.
General information on each species and the habitat that is being proposed to be protected is described below.
American Badger Habitat:
The American Badger (endangered) is a short, sturdy member of the weasel (or mustelid) family found in a variety of habitats in Ontario, such as tallgrass prairie, sand barrens and farmland. In Ontario, the badger is found primarily in the southwestern part of the province, close to Lake Erie. There are also badgers in northwestern Ontario in the Thunder Bay and Rainy River areas. The proposed habitat provisions for badger would protect dens that are being used or have previously been used in the past 12 months by a female badger while pregnant or raising young, plus woodchuck (groundhog) and Franklin’s ground squirrel burrows within 850 metres of the den. Other badger dens (e.g., over-wintering or transitory dens) would be protected for three months after their last use. A 5-metre radius around the entrance to all badger dens would also be protected.
Barn Owl Habitat:
The Barn Owl (endangered) is a mid-sized owl that has adapted to nesting and roosting in barns and abandoned buildings. It may also use natural cavities in trees. The proposed habitat provisions would protect natural features (e.g., trees) or structures (e.g., silo, barn, other) that are being used by Barn Owls for nesting or roosting. A nesting or roosting site would receive protection for 12 months after its last use and the area 25 metres around the base of natural features (e.g., trees) used as nesting or roosting sites would also be protected.
Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid Habitat:
The Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid (endangered) is an impressive rare orchid that grows in fen-type wetlands, tallgrass prairie and moist old fields. The proposed habitat provisions would protect the fens, tallgrass prairies, and moist early successional communities that have regenerated from agricultural land where the species occurs or has occurred within specified municipalities.
Engelmann’s Quillwort Habitat:
The Engelmann’s Quillwort (endangered) is an aquatic plant that grows in shallow water in lakes and rivers. The Engelmann’s Quillwort is only found at two locations in Canada. The proposed habitat provisions would protect areas in and around the Gull and Severn Rivers identified on maps and inland areas within 5 metres of the high water mark of those areas. Areas on the proposed maps where the summer shade is heavy, the water is deeper than 5 metres or there is quickly flowing turbulent water (and the associated inland areas) would be excluded. For draft maps, refer to the links below.
Few-flowered Club-rush Habitat:
The Few-flowered Club-rush (endangered) is a woodland sedge that is usually found on steep slopes of oak forests. In Ontario, it grows at just two sites at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton and at the Rouge Park in Pickering. The proposed habitat provisions would protect dry fresh oak deciduous forest and dry fresh oak-maple-hickory deciduous forest within specific areas found in the Royal Botanical Gardens and Rouge Park.
Jefferson Salamander Habitat:
Jefferson Salamanders (threatened) generally use intact deciduous forest with an undisturbed forest floor and unpolluted breeding ponds. In Canada, they are found only in southern Ontario, mainly along the Niagara Escarpment. The proposed provisions would protect wetlands, pools and ponds that are being used by Jefferson Salamanders or that were used in the past 3 years in certain geographic locations. It is proposed that the area that is within 300 metres of these wetlands, pools and ponds that would provide suitable conditions for foraging, dispersal, migration or hibernation would also be protected as habitat. In addition, areas that provide suitable conditions for dispersal to other suitable breeding areas up to 700 metres away from protected breeding ponds would be protected.
Peregrine Falcon Habitat:
Peregrine Falcons (threatened) nest on high steep cliff ledges close to large bodies of water and on structures such as tall buildings and bridges. Although Peregrine Falcons now nest in and around Toronto and several other southern Ontario cities, the majority of Ontario’s breeding population is found around Lake Superior in northern Ontario. The proposed habitat provisions for Peregrine Falcon would protect natural cliff faces that are at least 15 metres high and that are being used or have been used by Peregrine Falcon for nesting within the past 15 years, plus a 1-kilometre area around the cliff face. Nesting sites located on an artificial cliff face (e.g., steep rock cut, open pit mine) would be protected while the nesting site is being used. In addition, nesting sites on structures (such as buildings and bridges) that are being used or have been used by Peregrine Falcon for nesting within the last 2 years, and the area on the outside surface that is within 10 metres of the nesting site would be protected, along with areas within 200 metres of these nesting sites that are habitually used by Peregrine Falcon (e.g. for roosting, plucking, or perching).
Western Silvery Aster Habitat:
The Western Silvery Aster (endangered) is a perennial wildflower that grows in open bur oak savannahs. There are only two known existing populations of Western Silvery Aster in Ontario, both in northwestern Ontario. The proposed habitat provisions would protect the bur oak savannah habitat that currently supports Western Silvery Aster. For draft maps, refer to the links below.
Wood Turtle Habitat:
Wood Turtle (endangered), a mid-sized turtle, is typically found in and around clear rivers, streams or creeks that have moderate current and sandy or gravely bottoms. The proposed habitat provisions would be limited to 10 municipal areas in Ontario and would protect the parts of rivers, streams and other water bodies used by Wood Turtles. In addition, for southern populations, the part of the river, stream or other water body that is within 200 metres of the areas used by Wood Turtles would be protected along with the adjacent land that is 200 metres back from the protected parts of the river, stream or other water body. For northern populations, the part of the river, stream or other water body that is within 500 metres of the areas used by Wood Turtles would be protected along with the adjacent land that is 500 metres back from the protected parts of the river, stream or other water body. A 30 metre area around nesting sites that are being used by Wood Turtles would also be protected.
The public and Aboriginal communities are invited to review the proposed draft content of the regulations. Comments can be provided through the regulation proposal notices posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry. This information will be considered in finalizing the content of the regulation.
The following documents support the Environmental Registry Notice 010-6490:
